Sheffield’s Leihden Wotorson drives past Eisenhower’s Austin Hanson during Wednesday’s nonregion game in Russell. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower Knights used a 10-0 run to close out the first quarter en route to a 65-44 win over county rival Sheffield on Wednesday night on the Knights’ home court.

The Knights extended their winning streak to five to open the season.

The visiting Wolverines gave Eisenhower all it could handle in a game that was close until midway through the third quarter.

Sheffield jumped out to an early lead as Austin Fiscus hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the visitors a 6-2 lead. Fiscus would go on to hit four 3-pointers in the game.

With the visitors up, the Knights’ 6-foot-3 senior Kyler Black went to work. Black hit two free throws and added 9 points in the opening quarter to lead his team to a 19-11 lead.

Eisenhower doubled its score in the second quarter as Black had 13 of the Knights’ 19 points in the quarter. Black would finish with a season-high 25 points to lead the Knights.

The Wolverines’ Leihden Wotorson had the hot hand for Sheffield in the first half as he led the visitors with 12 points, keeping the game within reach at 38-25 at halftime.

Eisenhower came out of the locker room with a pressure defense on the Wolverines and got into foul trouble.

Sheffield was able to connect on 4 of 5 free throws, but the Knights began to pull away when turnovers came into play. Austin Hanson and Derrick Guiher each had 3-pointers in the quarter as the Knights opened up a 54-35 lead at the end of three quarters.

Eisenhower began to work in some younger players in the fourth quarter and closed out the game.

“I thought our press was effective tonight,” Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini said. “I thought we did a nice job pressuring their guys. Kyler had a nice game on both ends of the court, it was good to see that. We have a big game on Friday here at home. It would be great to see a big crowd show up and cheer the guys on against Cambridge Springs.”

Black led all scorers with 15 points, while Wotorson led the Wolverines with 22.

In jayvee action, Eisenhower won 57-34. Derek Guiher exploded for 26 points, including six 3-pointers. The Wolverines were led by John Wipple and Chase Fetzke with 8 points apiece.

SHEFFIELD (44)

Chapman 0 0 0, Fiscus 2 0 4, Wotorson 8 2 22, Barr 1 0 2, Bowman 0 0 0, Hardwick 1 3 6, Hoden 0 0 0, Eaton 3 2 10, Grubbs 0 0 0, Kyler 0 0 0, Richards 0 0 0, Whipple 0 0 0. Totals 15 7 44.

EISENHOWER (65)

Sobkowski 0 0 0, Black 8 6 25, Wonderling 1 0 3, Mandeville 0 0 0, Chase 0 0 0, Bunk 2 2 4, Seymour 2 0 5, Hanson 6 2 15, Guiher 2 0 6, Lindemuth 2 0 5. Totals 23 10 65.

3-point goals–Wotorson 4, Hardwick, Eaton 2, Black 3, Wonderling, Seymour, Hanson, Guiher 2, Lindemuth.

Sheffield 11 14 12 7 — 44

Eisenhower 19 19 16 11 — 65