Hearts w/Huge Comeback Win in OT

Down 11 heading into the final quarter, the Effingham Hearts came back to defeat the Marion Wildcats in overtime, 48-44, in opening night action at the Salem Invitational Tournament. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.  

Effingham held Marion to one point in the fourth quarter and no points in the overtime. In the meantime, the Hearts scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and four in the extra period to post the win.

With the win, Effingham advances to action Friday at 6:30pm against Centralia. The Orphans won the opener Wednesday night, defeating Lovejoy 73-37.

The first quarter was close with the teams tied 9-9 at the end of the frame. Marion outscored the Hearts 20-13 in the second period, though, as the Wildcats pounded the ball inside for points or hit three-point shots. Marion was 9 of 11 from the field in the period and led 29-22 at halftime. Marion then outscored the Hearts 14-10 in the third quarter and led 43-32 heading into the fourth period. At one point, the Hearts trailed by 13 points.

However, Effingham got two quick baskets to start the fourth quarter and had the lead down to seven points. The Hearts took the advantage and put the clamps on Marion defensively.

Senior Braydon Bone keyed the comeback, scoring all 12 of Effingham's points in the fourth quarter. He also hit a bucket in the overtime and finished with 18 points on eight of 12 shooting.

Meanwhile, sophomore Grant Wolfe and senior Michael Carie kept the Hearts afloat before Bone's heroics, with Wolfe scoring 13 of his game-high 19 points before intermission and Carie scoring six of his 11 points in the third period. Those three were the only players to score for the Hearts in the contest.

Robby Dosier scored 16 points to lead Marion.

Effingham shot 57% from the field, making 21 of 37 shots. Effingham made three of six foul shots, turned the ball over just eight times, grabbed 16 rebounds and made four of 11 three-point shots.

Marion made 19 of 38 shots for 50%, but went oh for six in the fourth quarter and overtime. Marion also hit just three of 10 foul shots. The Wildcats turned the ball over 10 times and grabbed 21 rebounds while making three of 12 three-point shots.

Effingham improved to 12-4 with the victory, while Marion fell to 6-11.

Salem Tournament

Overtime

EFFINGHAM (48)

Bone 8-0 -- 18, Beals 0-0 -- 0, Zerrusen 0-0 -- 0, Wolfe 8-2 -- 19, Carie 5-1 -- 11, Minor 0-0 -- 0, Woltman 0-0 -- 0, Kasdorf 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 21 FG, 3 FT.

MARION (44)

Shadowens 2-1 -- 7, Newman 4-0 -- 8, Dosier 6-1 -- 14, Dierkes 0-0 -- 0, Schmid 3-0 -- 6, Schafer 3-1 -- 7, Manfredo 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 19 FG, 3 FT.

Effingham          9    13    10    12    4    --    48

Marion                9    20    14      1    0    --    44

3-point FG -- Effingham 3 (Bone 2, Wolfe 1), Marion 3 (Shadowens 2, Dosier 1).

Midland Trail Conference Tournament

Webber Township (Bluford) and Sandoval claimed victories in consolation bracket action at the Midland Trail Conference Tournament Wednesday evening.

Webber Township defeated Wayne City 57-44. Sandoval then edged Grayville 84-82.

Webber and Sandoval will meet at 6:30 p.m. for the consolation championship Friday. Tonight's games feature Woodlawn against Waltonville at 6:30 p.m. in winner bracket action while Odin takes on Cisne at 8. The opening game, for ninth place, will feature North Clay (Louisville) against Clay City at 5 p.m.