Cami Beppler had a lot to do with that.

Beppler poured in 33 points, including 16 in the first quarter, as the Crushers (23-4) led 28-15 the first eight minutes. The senior was especially deadly from the arc where she connected on four of her seven treys.

The second quarter was more of the same as Beppler added two more 3-pointers on her way to 10 more points to help Bishop McCord build a 47-25 halftime lead.

The lone bright spot offensively for the Knights was junior Lainey Font, who drained three of her four shots from distance to keep Eisenhower (17-9) within striking distance.

Times Observer photo by Steve Younger The Knights’ Samantha Childs blocks a shot.

The Crushers put on a defensive clinic in the third quarter, however, holding Eisenhower to just five points and increasing their lead to 56-30. With the game out of reach, both coaches cleared their benches.

The other double-figure scorer for Bishop McCord was Emma Preuss with 13 points.

Font led the Knights with 16 points, including four 3-pointers, but Clara Steinberg was held to only 7 points.

“It was clearly not our best game,” Knights head coach DJ Steinberg said. “We made mistakes and, at this point in the season, good teams will make you pay, and they did. They did an outstanding job shutting Clara down, and with just nine girls on our roster it makes it difficult to compete at this point in the season.”

Still, Eisenhower accomplished the goals they set in the preseason, and have improved in each of Coach Steinberg’s years at the helm.

“Everything that these girls accomplished this year is a credit to them,” he said. “We reached our goals and made huge strides for the Eisenhower girls basketball program. Doing what this team did with no seniors on the roster at the end of the year is a testament to their will and talent. We will be back next year and I’m excited about the future of the program.”

EISENHOWER (34)

Font 6 0 16, Childs 0 1 1, Belcher 1 2 5, Alcorn 0 0 0, Zaffino 0 0 0, Gates 2 1 5, Steinberg 3 1 7, Waite 0 0 0. Totals 12 5 34.

BISHOP MCCORD (70)

Beppler 12 2 33, Berkebite 1 1 3, Zveco 2 2 6, Ferguson 1 2 4, Bailey 1 2 4, Toth 3 0 7, Preuss 6 0 13, Olshewsky 0 0 0, Wachs 0 0 0. Totals 26 9 70.

3-point goals — Font 4, Belcher, Beppler 7, Toth, Preuss.

Eisenhower 15 10 5 4 — 34

Bishop McCord 28 19 9 14 — 70