Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Austin Hanson scores in front of a Saegertown defender during Friday’s Region 2 boys basketball game in Saegertown.

SAEGERTOWN — The Eisenhower boys basketball team took a tie game down to the last 7 seconds before Saegertown’s Luke Young sank 1 of 2 free throws to give the Panthers a 53-52 win in their home gym Friday night.

In a battle for sole possession of first place in Region 2, the Knights jumped out to a 17-14 first-quarter lead behind senior Kyler Black’s 10 points.

Eisenhower went on a 10-2 run to start the second quarter and extended its lead to seven points at halftime behind Austin Hanson’s two 3-pointers.

The third quarter would be the downfall for the Knights as the Panthers came out of the locker room with the hot shooting hand, nailing four 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Saegertown’s defense clamped down and the Panthers outscored the Knights 17-9 in the quarter to take their first lead of the game 41-39.

The fourth quarter saw both teams match baskets at the start, but Eisenhower was able to open a 46-41 with just under four minutes remaining before Saegertown’s Jackson Scott hit a 3-pointer from deep in the corner to cut the lead to two. Both teams exchanged baskets to set the stage for the final minute of play. The Panthers tied the game at 52 with 34 seconds remaining. The Knights spread the floor, looking for the last shot, but a questionable no call led to an Eisenhower turnover with 12 seconds remaining in the game.

Saegertown missed a shot on its ensuing possession, but the Panthers were fouled on the rebound with seven seconds remaining. Young sank the first shot and missed the second. The Knights did have a last chance with four seconds on the clock, but were unable to get a shot off and the Panthers prevailed 53-52 and now sit in first place with just one Region 2 loss. Eisenhower drops to 13-4 on the season while Saegertown improves to 13-5.

The Knights were led by Black with 19 points, Hanson with 17 and Maysen Wonderling with 10.

The Panthers were led by Cody Hudson with 18 points.

Saegertown won the junior varsity game 52-36.

EISENHOWER (52)

Black 8 3 19, Wonderling 4 0 10, Bunk 2 0 4, Seymour 0 1 1, Hanson 7 0 17, Guiher 0 0 0, Lindemuth 0 1 1. Totals 21 5 52.

SAEGERTOWN (53)

Jones 6 0 13, Wilkinson 0 0 0, Young 2 3 7, Shaffer 0 0 0, Hudson 7 1 18, Droa 0 2 2, Scott 5 0 13. Totals 20 6 53.

3-point goals–Wonderling 2, Hanson 3, Jones, Hudson 3, Scott 3.

Eisenhower 17 15 7 13 — 52

Saegertown 14 11 16 12 — 53

Jayvees: Saegertown 52, Eisenhower 36.