Eisenhower’s Austin Hanson shoot a jump shot over a Union City defender during Wednesday’s Region 3 boys basketball victory over Union City at Eisenhower High School. Times Observer photo by Steve Younger

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower boys had to dig out of a 19-7 first-quarter deficit to pick up a 64-53 Region 3 basketball win over Union City on Wednesday night.

The cold outside carried over to the Knights’ shooting in the first quarter. Eisenhower (8-5, 2-1) had to use a big second quarter from Austin Hanson as he had 15 points, and a hustling defense held the visiting Bears to just 4 points. The 22-4 quarter led the Knights to a 29-23 lead at the half.

“I was proud of the guys in that second quarter. They battled hard to come back and get the lead at the half,” Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini said.

The Knights continued their hot shooting after intermission as Hanson had 13 points in the third quarter, including 9 of 10 from the free-throw line, as the hosts extended their lead to 54-36.

The fourth quarter saw Eisenhower rest its starters as the Knights have two more games this week.

“I was pleased with the effort tonight but we have to put four quarters together and take more pride into our defense to get us where we want to be,” Mangini said.

The Knights were led by Hanson’s 30 points and junior Derek Guiher had 15 points on five 3-pointers.

The Bears were led by Trent Parkhurst’s 16 points.

Eisenhower welcomes Youngsville on Friday night.

UNION CITY (53)

Capela 3 5 12, McNulty 0 0 0, Parkhurst 6 4 16, Troyer 4 2 12, Trauner 1 0 3, Kinney 0 0 0, Greer 2 3 7, Fox 1 0 3. Totals 17 14 53.

EISENHOWER (64)

Hanson 8 13 30, Seymour 4 0 8, Chase 3 0 6, Guiher 5 0 15, Gigliotti 0 0 0, Mandeville 2 1 5, Reynolds 0 0 0, Palmieri 0 0 0. Totals 22 14 64.

3-point goals–Capela, Troyer 2, Trauner, Fox, Hanson, Guiher 5.

Union City 19 4 13 17 — 53

Eisenhower 7 22 25 10 — 64