Eisenhower’s Rylan Benton puts up a shot during Tuesday’s Region 3 boys basketball game against Erie Prep Academy in Russell. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower Knights had four starters in double figures and made 20 3-pointers in a 90-50 Region 3 boys basketball win over Erie Prep Academy on Tuesday night.

The Knights got off to a hot start making eight 3-pointers in the opening quarter, racing out to a commanding 34-10 lead.

Eisenhower got balanced scoring from its starters. Freshman Kymani Vine led the Knights with 21 points, including five 3-pointers; junior Austin Hanson had 18 points, including four 3-pointers; senior Derek Guiher added 15 points on five 3-pointers; and junior Rylan Benton chipped in 13 points with three 3-pointers.

The Knights continued their hot hand, opening up a 55-24 lead at the half.

With a running clock in play starting the second half, Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini began to work in some younger players and rest his starters for an upcoming region clash with Mercyhurst Prep on Friday.

Friday’s game for first place will be varsity-only. The Eisenhower girls will tip off at 6 p.m. with the varsity boys to follow.

With so much on the line for both teams Friday, Mangini knows how important the crowd can be.

“A win for us would put us in first place in our region,” he said. “We would love to play in front of a packed gym as I’m sure the girls would love to have it packed for them as well.”

Erie First Academy’s Matteo Morganti took game scoring honors Tuesday, finishing with 27 points.

ERIE PREP ACADEMY (50)

Batjargal 2 0 4, Song 3 0 7, Morganti 10 2 27, Yang 2 0 4, Lawal 1 0 2, Redd 0 0 0, Yu 2 1 6, Martins 0 0 0, Al-Tamimi 0 0 0. Totals 20 3 50.

EISENHOWER (90)

Reynolds 1 0 2, Vine 8 0 21, Boozer 0 0 0, Haight 1 0 3, AHanson 6 2 18, Guiher 5 0 15, Benton 5 0 13, LHanson 2 0 4, Steinberg 1 0 3, Pikna 1 0 3, WMandeville 2 0 4, PMandeville 2 0 4. Totals 34 2 90.

3-point goals–Song, Morganti 5, Yu, Vine 5, Haight, AHanson 4, Guiher 5, Benton 3, Steinberg, Pikna.

Erie Prep Academy 10 14 9 17 — 50

Eisenhower 34 21 22 13 — 90