RUSSELL — In a rare varsity home basketball twin bill Friday night against Mercyhurst Prep, the Eisenhower girls lost 51-50 while the boys rolled to a 77-52 win, highlighted by 29 points from Austin Hanson.

The girls’ game was close from beginning to end with the Lakers holding a 14-11 lead after one quarter and then leading 27-25 at halftime. After the break, neither team led by more than five points.

Mari Nixon led the Lakers with 22 points, including connecting on 14 of 16 attempts from the foul line. Clara Steinberg paced the Knights with 28 points.

In the boys game, Eisenhower knocked off Mercyhurst Prep 77-52, avenging a loss earlier in the season.

The Knights led 22-21 after one quarter and 41-26 at halftime. The second half was all Eisenhower as its defense held the Lakers to just five points in the third quarter and led 66-41 heading into the final period. With the mercy rule in play, the Knights’ lead grew to 38 points before head coach Ryan Mangini pulled his starters.