Huge Third Quarter Lifts Hearts to Win Over Wave

Friday night's Mattoon at Effingham basketball game was moving along at a steady pace through the first half. Then, came the third quarter, and that made all the difference.

Effingham outscored Mattoon 23-3 in the third period go from five down to 15 up on the way to a 55-39 win at EHS Gym. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Despite a lack of success on offense, Effingham only trailed 14-11 after one quarter and 28-23 at halftime. The third quarter, though, put the Hearts in front 46-31 heading to the final period, where the Hearts outscored the Green Wave 9-8 to claim a 16-point victory.

The win avenges a 62-51 loss to Mattoon last Saturday night at the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament.

Effingham shot 46% from the field, making 17 of 37 shots including 7 of 14 threes. The Hearts were clutch at the free throw line making 14 of 15 attempts. Effingham pulled down 22 rebounds and turned the ball over just 10 times.

Mattoon was 16 of 45 from the field for 36%, including 6 of 21 threes. The Green Wave shot just two foul shots and made one of them. Mattoon had 18 rebounds and also committed 10 turnovers.

Landon Wolfe had another huge game on offense for Effingham, scoring 28 points. Wolfe made 8 of 18 shots including two threes and was 10 of 10 from the foul line with 5 rebounds.

Mason Hull had a solid game on offense, scoring 12 points on 4 of 8 shooting and played lock down defense on Mattoon's Jadyn Prinko, holding the 16 PPG scorer to just 6 points.

Lucas Hagler was a huge lift off the bench, scoring eight points including two threes at a time the Hearts were struggling for points in the second quarter.

Cole Marxman scored four points, but grabbed six rebounds and played good interior defense, along with Logan Smith who had five boards. Ryan Sandifer contributed a big three during the third quarter explosion and grabbed three rebounds. Blake Lohman, who is undergoing knee surgery on Monday, and Lucas Vasquez also contributed minutes off the bench.

Mattoon was led by Jacob Ghere and Jacob Spitz with eight points each. Also for the Green Wave: Justus Donaldson 5, DeAndre Thomas 4, Jayden Noe 3, Camdyn Considine 3 and Chandler Rhine 2.

Effingham improved to 3-2 on the young season and won their Apollo Conference opener. Mattoon slipped to 3-2 and 0-1 in the conference.

The Hearts next play Tuesday at home to Olney Richland County. We will have the game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Effingham JV squad played their first game of the season and lost 48-46 in overtime. Tate Niebrugge led the Hearts with 16 points while Cameron Kalber scored 9.