Both teams came out slowly and matched baskets as the Knights built a 13-11 lead at the end of one quarter. Eisenhower failed to take advantage of the Braves’ aggressive play as they were 1 of 6 from the free-throw line. Inconsistency from the charity stripe would haunt the Knights throughout the game as they were just 6 of 15.

Eisenhower held a 20-19 halftime lead.

Iroqouis began to pull away from the Knights in the third quarter as Eisenhower sent the Braves to the line where they were 6 of 8 to build a 34-31 lead at the end of three quarters.

Iroqouis went on a 5-0 run to start the final quarter and increased its lead to 39-31 before the Knights’ Austin Hanson stole an Iroquois pass and put in an easy layup. The Knights cut the lead to four points before Orlando Brown hit a 3-pointer to increase the Braves’ lead to seven with 3:15 remaining.

Eisenhower’s Austin Hanson makes a pass in the lane during Tuesday’s District 10 Class 2A semifinal against Iroquois at General McLane High School. Photo by Mark Evans

Eisenhower pushed the ball up-court, but missed shots and turnovers led to easy baskets as Iroquois sophomore Roman Caporale scored 9 of his 13 points in the final quarter.

“Iroquois played well,” Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini said. “Their length and athleticism really showed tonight. We played hard, but we didn’t do a lot of the little things needed to win against a good team like that. We have to learn from this and get ready for Friday’s game.”

The Knights, who dropped to 19-5 on the season, still have an opportunity to advance into the state round of playoffs when they play No. 1 Mercer (20-4) in the District 10 third-place game. Mercer fell to No. 4 Cambridge Springs on Tuesday night in their semifinal game.

IROQUOIS (54)

Brown 4 2 11, Bennett 2 0 5, Lucas 2 1 5, Caporale 6 1 13, Brink 0 2 2, Burroughs 8 2 18. Totals 22 8 54.

EISENHOWER (41)

Black 4 2 10, Wonderling 0 1 1, Bunk 1 0 2, Seymour 1 0 2, Hanson 7 0 15, Guiher 0 0 0, Lindemuth 5 1 11. Totals 18 4 41.

3-point goals–Brown, Bennett, Hanson.

Iroquois 11 8 15 20 — 54

Eisenhower 13 7 11 10 — 41