ERIE — “It was a game we definitely wanted,” said Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini following the Knights’ 61-47 nonregion boys basketball loss to Iroqouis on Saturday.

The Knights were playing their third game in four days, and that may have caught with them late as they were outscored 20-6 in the fourth quarter.

Knights senior Casey Seymour started out with a hot hand as he scored 7 points in the opening quarter as Eisenhower ended the period down just a single point, 15-14, to the Braves.

The two teams exchanged baskets throughout the second period. The Knights’ Derek Guiher hit the first of his five 3-pointers in the game, but the Braves’ Roman Caporale began to heat up as he scored 10 of his game-high 31 points in the quarter to pace Iroqouis. The Knights went into halftime leading 26-25.

The third quarter saw a 3-point shooting contest between Guiher and Caporale as each player connected on three, but the quarter ended with the score tied 41-41.

The Knights were unable to match Iroquois as Carporale continued the hot hand, combined with a defense that held the Knights to just 6 points in the final quarter.

“It was a tough loss for sure, but I thought we rebounded very well and showed some physical toughness that we’ve been lacking in a few games,” Mangini said. “They are a long and athletic team. I was proud of the way we fought with them on the defensive end. Offensively, we just need to be more confident and increase our focus at times.”

The Knights were led by Guiher’s 17 points. Caporale led all scorers with 31 points.

Eisenhower saw its overall record drop to 8-6. The Knights are back in Region 3 action Tuesday when they travel to Erie Prep Academy.

EISENHOWER (47)

Hanson 2 3 8, Seymour 5 0 11, Lindemuth 2 4 8, Chase 1 0 2, Guiher 6 0 17, Mandeville 0 1 1, Reynolds 0 0 0. Totals 16 8 47.

IROQUOIS (61)

Howard 5 0 11, Bennett 3 0 6, Caporale 11 4 31, Burroughs 6 1 13, Brieger 0 0 0, Lopez 0 0 0, Abu-Zebiba 0 0 0. Totals 25 5 61.

3-point goals–Hanson, Seymour, Guiher 5, Howard, Caporale 5.

Eisenhower 14 12 15 6 — 47

Iroquois 15 10 16 20 — 61