They gave the top-seeded Mercer Mustangs everything they could handle and nearly came out of Meadville High School with the upset victory, but eventually fell 61-53 in a District 10 Class 2A boys basketball semifinal.

The loss sends Eisenhower into the consolation game against No. 2 Cambridge Springs, which lost to No. 3 Erie First Christian 63-42 in Tuesday’s second semifinal. Cambridge Springs beat Eisenhower in both of the teams’ matchups this season.

The Knights came out shooting against Mercer. Senior Wyatt Lookenhouse continued his hot shooting as he nailed a 3-pointer from the corner for the game’s first points to give Eisenhower its first lead. Both teams were careful with ball to not turn it over. The Mustangs came out pressing the Knights, but as has been their trademark all season, they relied on the 3-point shot as they hit four in the opening period.

The biggest 3-pointer of the first quarter came with 11 seconds left when Lookenhouse connected on his third of the quarter to go over the 1,000-point mark of his career.

Eisenhower’s Kael Hunt connects for 2 points during Tuesday’s District 10 Class 2A semifinal against Mercer at Meadville High School. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

“It is well-deserved. Wyatt just exemplifies what a team player is,” Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini said. “He is an exceptional shooter and an outstanding rebounder. He never stops working when he plays.”

The Knights led 16-13 at the end of the quarter and carried their lead all the way through the second quarter. They opened up a 26-18 lead with 3:52 to go, but Mercer capitalized on missed shots down the stretch to close within a point, 30-29 at halftime.

Both teams came out of the locker room shooting and the score reflected that as the largest lead enjoyed by either team was 4 points. Eisenhower led 43-39 entering the fourth quarter.

The final period began with the Mustangs scoring on their first two possessions to tie the score at 43 with 6:50 remaining. The Knights were paced by Lookenhouse and junior Johnny Palmieri, who each drained 3s, but the Knights’ lead never got more than 2 points.

Eisenhower was leading 52-50 with 1:46 remaining when Mercer’s Drae Mattocks hit a 3-pointer to give the Mustangs their first lead of the second half, 53-50. Mattocks would lead the Mustangs with 19 points in the game.

Mercer played mistake free down the stretch and the Knights’ next possession did not garner any points. Eisenhower had to foul in an attempt to regain possession, but the Mustangs were perfect from the foul line in the quarter going 5 for 5 down the stretch to secure the win.

Due to District 10 sending three teams into the PIAA playoffs, the Knights have a chance to redeem themselves in the consolation game Friday.

“I’m proud of the guys. That was probably our best game defensively all season. I thought Kyler Black and Kael Hunt handled their pressure very well,” Mangini said. “Wyatt carried us in the first half and the team picked it up in the second half. We will watch film and get ready for Friday night.”

EISENHOWER (53)

Black 4 0 8, Lookenhouse 7 1 19, Palmieri 3 0 8, Bunk 4 1 9, Seymour 0 0 0, Hunt 3 2 9, Lindemuth 0 0 0. Totals 21 4 53.

MERCER (61)

Haines 1 0 2, Miller 0 0 0, Palmer 3 0 7, Balaski 2 2 8, DMattocks 6 6 19, Cunningham 0 0 0, Grossman 0 0 0, JMattocks 10 2 22. Totals 23 9 61.

3-point goals–Lookenhouse 4, Palmieri 2, Hunt, Palmer, Balaski 2, DMattocks.

Eisenhower 16 14 13 10 — 53

Mercer 13 16 10 22 — 61