Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Austin Hanson drives on Erie First Christian Academy’s Avery Collins during Friday night’s game in Russell.

RUSSELL — Austin Hanson was clutch when it mattered most by going 10 for 10 from the foul line in the final minute to send Eisenhower to a 93-89 victory over Erie First Christian Academy in front of a packed gym at Eisenhower High School on Friday night.

“The crowd was great,” Knights head coach Ryan Mangini said. “It certainly helped us down the stretch. We really hope they continue to come out and support us.”

This game was easy to get excited about.

Austin Hanson, who was 13 for 13 from the charity stripe on the night, led Eisenhower with 26 points; younger brother, Liam, added 21, including six 3-pointers; and Kymani Vince chipped in 20. That balance was necessary to offset the 42-point effort of the Eagles’ Avery Collins.

The Knights were down 32-21 at the end of the first quarter, but began to heat up as Austin Hanson, Vine and Derek Guiher each hit 3-pointers as the Knights outscored the Eagles 22-18 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 50-43 at halftime.

Eisenhower began to make its move in the third quarter as Guiher and Austin Hanson each drilled a trey to put the Knights up 72-67 heading into the final quarter.

Liam Hanson scored on back-to-back possessions and the knights, thanks to Austin Hanson hitting his free throws, held on for the win.

“I was proud of how the kids battled back,” Mangini said. “We had some breakdowns in the first half, (but) they kept their composure and worked their way back into the game.”

In junior varsity action, Eisenhower defeated the Eagles 63-41. The Knights were led by Ollie Boozer’s 16 points.