CORRY — The Eisenhower Knights traveled to Corry for a rare Saturday morning game and nearly pulled off the upset win, narrowly falling 41-39 to the Beavers.

Eisenhower, a Class 2A program with a small roster of just seven girls including five starting sophomores, was pressed — but not intimidated — from the start against Class 4A Corry.

Maybe it was the 11 a.m. start, as both teams came out with cold shooting hands.

Corry finally scored the first points of the game when Halle Albers sank a free throw four minutes into the game. The Beavers heated up quickly after that and went on a 12-1 run to get the lead before Eisenhower sophomore Lainey Font scored the last five points of the quarter to cut the Beavers lead to 12-6.

The Knights’ pressure defense began to create turnovers and Eisenhower took advantage as they were able to trade baskets with Corry. Lainey Belcher scored on back-to-back possessions for Eisenhower and Font scored the final four points of the half to make the score 23-14 at the break.

Eisenhower’s Clara Steinberg began to heat up in the third quarter as she scored six points and Font added four to keep the Knights within striking distance at the end of the third quarter 33-24.

The Beavers had trouble with Eisenhower’s pressing defense all game as the Knights forced 13 turnovers, almost leading to an improbable upset in the fourth quarter.

Eisenhower found itself down by seven points 41-33 with 1:40 remaining, but they were not going down without a fight. Steinberg hit a short jumper followed by Font stepping in front of a Beavers pass and taking the ball down court before making a perfect pass to Belcher, who banked in a shot off the glass to cut the lead to 41-37 with 22 seconds left.

Belcher would rebound a missed shot and hit a short shot off the glass to make the score 41-39 with 6.5 seconds left. The Knights fouled the Beavers on the inbounds pass and sent them to the line, where they would miss both free throws.

Eisenhower had a chance at a last-second shot that would fall short as the Beavers held on for the win.

Corry’s Grace Allen would lead all scorers with 17 points and the Knights were led by Steinberg, who tallied 15 points. Font chipped in 15 on the day.

“I’m so proud of these girls, they never stop fighting and are great role models for our program,” Eisenhower head coach D.J. Steinberg said.

“We have seven girls on our roster so everyone plays,” Steinberg added. “Some of our girls don’t ever come out of a game, they leave it all out on the court. If you’ve been wanting to see us, come out on Monday night.”

The Knights will welcome the Girard Yellow jackets tonight as they honor their youth players. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

EISENHOWER (39)

Font 6 0 14, Childs 0 0 0, Belcher 2 2 6, Alcorn 2 0 4, Zaffino 0 0 0, Gates 0 0 0, Steinberg 4 7 15. Totals 14 9 39.

CORRY (41)

Albers 4 1 10, Rogers 0 0 0, Mumau 3 0 7, Porter 0 0 0, Nickerson 1 0 2, Allen 8 1 17, Thomas 0 0 0, Dune 2 1 5, Hasbrouck 0 0 0. Totals 18 3 41.

3-point goals–Font 2, Albers, Mumau.

Eisenhower 6 8 10 14 — 39

Corry 12 11 10 8 — 41