Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Casey Seymour (13) blocks a shot against McDowell.

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower boys jumped out to a 24-12 first-quarter lead and never looked back on their way to an 80-59 Region 3 victory over Erie Prep Academy.

The Knights’ pressure defense and some hot shooting by Derek Guiher, which included a pair of 3-pointers, and another 3-pointer from Jaydon Chase helped them open up the big lead.

Eisenhower opened up its lead to 51-27 at the half. Seymour and Austin Hanson each had 10 points in the second quarter and Guiher added another 3-pointer to pace the Knights.

The third quarter started out with the mercy rule in play, giving Knights head coach Ryan Mangini the opportunity to rest his starters and give his reserves some quality time.

Eisenhower had four starters in double figures with Casey Seymour leading the way with 20 points, Austin Hanson had 19, Guiher added 14 and Chase finished with 12 points.

Erie Prep’s Hugo Rodriguez led all scorers with 26 points.

“The boys came out from the start and took care of business,” Mangini said. “I thought both of our seniors, Seymour and Chase, had big games in front of a big crowd on what may have been their last game on their home court. Both of them should be proud of the year they had. We are hoping to carry this momentum we have into the playoffs.”

The Knights finish their regular season at 13-8 overall and await their playoff opponent, which will be determined on Sunday.

ERIE PREP (59)

Montille 0 0 0, Lawal 2 1 6, Rodriguez 10 3 26, Wang 3 1 8, Castano 6 5 17, Redd 0 0 0, Thompson 0 0 0, Sina 0 0 0, Benitez 1 0 2. Totals 22 10 59.

EISENHOWER (80)

Hanson 8 0 19, Seymour 7 5 20, Lindemuth 3 0 6, Chase 3 4 12, Guiher 5 0 14, Gigliotti 0 0 0, Mandeville 4 0 9, Reynolds 0 0 0, Russell 0 0 0, Palmieri 0 0 0. Totals 30 9 80.

3-point goals–Lawal, Rodriguez 3, Wang, Hanson 3, Seymour, Chase 2, Guiher 4, Mandeville.

Erie Prep 12 15 7 25 — 59

Eisenhower 23 28 16 13 — 80