Not surprisingly and, true to form, it was a close game, but Eisenhower had Wyatt Lookenouse, who proved to be the difference.

Lookenhouse poured in 37 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, and Johnny Palmieri added six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points as the Knights held off the Panthers 71-65 at on Friday night.

The victory moves Eisenhower into the District 10 semifinals Tuesday against either West Middlesex or Mercer at a site and time to be determined.

“It was a great game for us offensively,” Knights head coach Ryan Mangini said. “Wyatt showed why he is one of the best scorers in the region tonight. It was nice to see Johnny have such a nice game, too. He worked so hard on his shots in the offseason and he was rewarded … for all of his hard work. When he is hitting shots we are a different team offensively.”

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Gavin Lindemuth blocks a Saegertown shot.

The Panthers came out determined to slow down Eisenhower’s fast-paced offense to start the game on a 6-0 run before Palmieri hit a 3-pointer from deep in the corner and Lookenhouse, who finished the game with six treys, hit from beyond the arc as well. But Saegertown was very deliberate in its shot selection as it opened up a five-point lead before Lookenhouse hit a basket as the clock was winding down to close the Panthers’ lead to 16-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Palmieri and Lookenhouse were only getting warmed up as they each connected on three 3-pointers in the second quarter. Palmieri scored the first nine points in the quarter and Lookenhouse the last 11 to give the Knights a 33-26 lead at the half.

The third quarter was back and forth with Eisenhower holding a 47-43 lead after three quarters.

The fourth quarter saw the Panthers play an aggressive style of defense which sent the Knights to the free throw line 18 times, but Eisenhower — normally very sure at the charity stripe — only hit on half of its chances to keep Saegertown within reach.

The Knights were leading by only three points late in the fourth quarter, but standout junior Kyler Black, who the Panthers had held in check, hit both of his free throws in the final moments to give the Knights some breathing room and, ultimately, the victory.

“It was a great win for this team and this program,” Mangini said. “I am really proud of everyone’s effort.”

Brady Greco led the Panthers with 20 points, Cody Huson had 17 and Zachary Yoder chipped in 14.

SAEGERTOWN (65)

Laperriere 0 0 0, Jones 3 0 6, Greco 7 2 20, Yoder 5 0 14, Shaffer 4 0 8, Young 0 0 0, Huson 6 3 17, Zirkle 0 0 0, Totals 25 5 65.

EISENHOWER (71)

Black 0 3 3, Lookenhouse 13 5 37, Palmieri 6 0 18, Bunk 1 3 5, Seymour 0 0 0, Hunt 3 2 8, Lindemuth 0 0 0, Totals 23 13 71.

3-point goals — Greco 4, Yoder 4, Huson, Lookenhouse 6, Palmieri 6.

Saegertown 16 10 17 22 — 65

Eisenhower 13 20 14 24 — 71