When Mikey Esquilin converted two foul shots midway through the third quarter to put the Zephyrs ahead against William Allen on Tuesday night, it looked as if they were on track for another comeback victory.

They were trailing the Canaries by eight heading into the third, but a succession of baskets by Esquilin and Logan McGinley, the latter resulting in a three-point play after getting fouled, drew them within two at 53-51, and clearly established momentum in their favor.

Both the buckets were the result of attacking the basket, something Jones has been preaching to his young charges this season, and when Esquilin went to the line after a Charles Hudson field goal had cut the lead to one, that aggressive, attacking style seemed to be the pathway to victory.

But Allen refused to fold. While they weren’t getting the same point production in the second half from Talek Williams who poured in 22 before the break, they found an answer in JayJay Winslow who came off the bench to provide a huge spark for the visiting Canaries, hitting from the perimeter as well as dishing inside to Tyrese Martin to help Allen weather the Zephyr third quarter run.

And once Martin stepped to the foul line with an opportunity to put his team ahead shortly after the Zephyrs had taken the lead, the tide was beginning to change as his successive free throws were part of an 11-0 Allen run that firmly put their game in their grasp heading into the final period.

From that point, the Canaries were able to clamp down defensively and hold on for the 73-64 win.

The loss drops the Zephyrs to 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Head coach Jeff Jones knew that Allen would present some challenges. They were facing a team that had won eight games and were averaging nearly 69 points per game.

“They’re certainly as athletic as any team you’ll find around here,” said Jones.

Even with all that talent, the Zephs stayed even with the Canaries in the first period, with both teams scoring 18 in the opening stanza. However, Williams began to assert himself offensively, knocking down 22 first-half points to help his team build that eight-point lead at intermission.

That’s when Whitehall went on their surge as McGinley, Hudson, Devin Martinez and Esquilin led the charge that got them that one-point lead.

Unfortunately, the Zephs weren’t able to capitalize on opportunities to extend that lead in their subsequent trips down the floor.

Jones said they didn’t execute their half-court offense as well, leaving the door open for Allen.

“We had two opportunities for baskets after we penetrated hard, but we weren’t able to convert,” Jones said.

And it was also difficult dealing with the 6-5 Martin, who despite solid defense from the Zephs, could shoot over the top of the defenders.

“It’s tough to get multiple stops in a row and we weren’t able to do that,” said Jones.

After Williams had tallied that double deuce in the first half, Jones said that they switched to more zone defense in an effort to thwart some of his penetration. It worked as he only managed five more the rest of the way.

“I thought in the second half that we did a good job defensively,” said Jones. “They’re a good offensive team.”

The Canaries have a multitude of options, including Josh Wyatt who finished with 15 points, while Winslow had 12.

“They really have some nice interchangeable parts,” said Jones.

The Zephs have weapons of their own with McGinley and Hudson combining for 36 of the team’s 64 points. That duo, along with Martinez, enabled the Zephs to win the rebound battle heading into the final quarter.

“Those kids certainly battle and don’t back down,” said Jones. “We fought to the bitter end.”

Esquilin sat in the waning moments of the game after getting hit in the face. He finished with 10 points.

Jones said the game mirrored last Friday’s contest against Bethlehem Catholic, a game in which they were trailing by five heading into the fourth quarter. However, in that game their half court offense was able to score once they got the lead, with Jackson Buskirk hitting a big shot, and Hudson effectively sealing it at the foul line for the 56-55 win.