Times Observer photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Kaliann Waite guards an Iroquois player during Thursday’s Region 3 girls basketball game in Russell.

RUSSELL — The Eisenhower Knights used a big first quarter from Lainey Font and Clara Steinberg to jump out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back in Thursday night’s 60-31 Region 3 girls basketball win over the visiting Iroquois Braves.

Font had a pair of 3-pointers and totaled 11 points while Steinberg also had a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 10 points during Eisenhower’s opening eight minutes.

Head coach DJ Steinberg was able to get his starters some rest and work in his young players. He had high praise for Miranda Gates, who chipped in 11 points in the win.

“It was great to see Miranda play so well tonight,” Steinberg said. “She had some nice moves to get to the basket.”

Eisenhower (15-5, 7-5) was led by Clara Steinberg, who took high-scoring honors with 26 points, including four 3-pointers. Font had 18 points.

Iroqouis (3-15, 0-12) was led by Brianna Riker’s 8 points.

“The girls did a great job of executing the game plan,” Steinberg said. “Tonight’s win was a game that will help us prepare for our final two games of the season. We would really like to get those two.”

IROQUOIS (31)

Calderon 2 0 4, Dance 2 0 5, Ferguson 2 0 4, Hedglin 1 0 2, Maguire 2 0 4, Riker 4 0 8, Slupski 2 0 4. Totals 15 0 31.

EISENHOWER (60)

Font 6 3 18, Childs 0 0 0, Belcher 1 0 2, Alcorn 1 0 3, Zaffino 0 0 0, Gates 5 1 11, Steinberg 9 4 26, Waite 0 0 0. Totals 22 8 60.

3-point goals–Dance, Font 3, Alcorn, Steinberg 4.

Iroquois 0 6 10 15 — 31

Eisenhower 21 12 10 17 — 60