Eisenhower’s Laney Belcher attempts to drive by an Erie defender Thursday in Russell. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower Knights welcomed the Royals from Erie High on Thursday night, and although the Class 1A Knights never stopped fighting for points, they were simply outmatched by the much larger Class 5A Royals and fell 64-37.

Eisenhower scored the first four points of the game before the visitors settled into their pressure defense and opened up a 24-13 first-quarter lead.

The Knights came out and got a quick basket by Miranda Gates on a nice pass by Laney Belcher. The Royals missed on their end and Eisenhower’s Lainey Font drained a 3-pointer to cut the Royals’ lead to 24-18.

Erie then went on an 18-2 run after the Eisenhower points and went to the half with a comfortable 41-22 lead.

The Knights were forced to shoot from beyond the arc to try and close the gap, but the Royals owned the boards and held Eisenhower to just 4 points in the third quarter.

Erie began to work in its younger players and slowed its game in the fourth quarter.

The Knights had no answer for the Erie’s twins, Aubrey and Draya Neavins, who each tallied 20 points. The Knights were led by Clara Steinberg, who had 15 points and was a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line.

In jayvee action, Erie won 22-10 in a game shortened to four-minute quarters.

ERIE (64)

Renwick 0 0 0, DNeavins 8 3 20, Sanders 2 0 5, Rivera-Rosario 0 0 0, Green 1 2 5, Williams 2 2 7, Thomas 1 0 2, Person 2 0 5, ANeavins 6 5 20. Totals 22 12 64.

EISENHOWER (37)

Font 3 0 8, Childs 0 0 0, Belcher 3 2 8, Alcorn 2 0 4, Gates 1 0 2, Steinberg 2 10 15. Totals 11 12 37.

3-point goals–DNeavins, Sanders, Green, Williams, Person, ANeavins 3, Font 2, Steinberg.

Erie 24 18 10 12 — 64

Eisenhower 13 9 4 9 — 37

Jayvees: Erie won 22-10.