Saturday, the Eisenhower girls proved they belonged as they battled Wilmington to the final minute, but ultimately fell 58-52 in the District 10 2A consolation game.

The opening quarter started out fast and was a battle of 3-point shooters, Eisenhower’s Lainey Font and Wilmington’s Lia Krarup, who each hit a pair of treys and Wilmington led 14-13 after the first eight minutes.

Eisenhower’s Clara Steinberg began to heat up as she scored 8 points in the second quarter and teammate Laney Belcher drained a 3-pointer, but Krarup continued to find the net beyond the arc and added two more triples to help her team extend its lead to 36-28 at halftime.

“We knew coming into the game what to expect,” Eisenhower head coach DJ Steinberg said. “They are a good team, they like to play a fast-paced game and have the ability to bury a team if you don’t run the court with them. We came out a little slow, which allowed them to build that early lead.”

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Lainey Font (2) flies through the air on the way to the basket during Saturday’s game against Wilmington.

The Knights came out of the break intent on slowing Wilmington down and they did just that. By quarter’s end they trailed 37-28. Wilmington began the final period on a 9-0 run, but a pair of 3-pointers by Clara Steinberg and 4 points from Keeley Alcorn pulled Eisenhower within striking distance, but it wasn’t quite enough.

“We made several mistakes that you just can’t make this late in the season, and they capitalized on every one of them,” Coach Steinberg said. “We had a nice run late in the game, but it just wasn’t enough, unfortunately.”

The Knights were led by Clara Steinberg who finished with 20 points but game scoring honors went to Wilmington’s Krarup, who hit five 3-pointers and totaled 23 points.

Coach Steinberg was proud of the effort of his team.

“They were able to hang with the number two seed in the single A bracket, only losing by a couple of possessions, and did it with no seniors on the court. They proved that they belonged here.”

Eisenhower had already secured its return to the PIAA state playoffs, its first appearance in 16 years. The Knights will take their 17-8 record against 22-4 Bishop McCourt this Friday at Bishop McCourt High School with tip-off set for 7 p.m.