Mahomet-Seymour Holds Off Hearts in Hard-Fought Game

The Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs remained unbeaten in Apollo Conference play with a 56-50 victory over the Effingham Hearts in a hard-fought game Friday night. The game at EHS was heard on 979 XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

It was anybody's game throughout the contest. Even after the Bulldogs took an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Hearts crept back within four points before Mahomet-Seymour hit their foul shots down the stretch to post the win.

The Bulldogs scored out of the gate, but the Hearts came back to lead 11-8 after the first quarter. A tough second quarter, though, when Effingham scored just six points left them trailing 21-17 at halftime.

The second half was a different story, as suddenly the shots starting falling, with Mahomet-Seymour outscoring Effingham 20-18 to lead 41-35 heading to the final quarter. The fourth quarter ended up being a 15-15 standoff despite the Bulldogs pushing the lead to 11 and the Hearts coming back to within four.

After both teams shot below 30% from the field in the first half, things changed after intermission.

The Hearts were 10 of 19 in the second half, while M-S was 13 of 21. Effingham finished 16 of 44 for 36%; Mahomet-Seymour ended 21 of 49 for 43%.

Both teams shot well from the line; Effingham 14 of 18, Mahomet-Seymour 13 of 17. 

The Hearts outrebounded the Bulldogs 29-22, although the Bulldogs had the edge in the second half. 

While the Hearts had a respectable 11 turnovers, Mahomet-Seymour only turned the ball over four times in the entire contest.

The Hearts were 4 of 13 on threes, while the Bulldogs were 1 of 6.

Each team featured a big scorer, and neither disappointed. Effingham's Landon Wolfe, averaging more than 25 PPG, scored 26. Mahomet-Seymour's Cory Noe, averaging over 21 PPG, scored 22. Wolfe had a double-double, adding 10 rebounds to his points.

Friday's game was the first varsity action for senior Matthew Robinson and junior Dylan Bushur. Bushur didn't score, but provided valuable minutes. Robinson scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds and provided considerable help inside. Their arrival also provides much-needed depth for the Hearts.

Mason Hull was in double figures with 10 points and also grabbed six rebounds.

Also for Effingham: Cole Marxman five points and four rebounds...Ryan Sandifer two points and a board...and Logan Smith four rebounds.

In addition to Noe's output, Noah Benedict scored 12 points for Mahomet-Seymour.

The Hearts are back to .500 at 5-5 heading into the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic next Thursday and Friday. Mahomet-Seymour improved to 5-0 in the Apollo, 9-2 for all games.

Mahomet-Seymour won the JV game 48-43. Freshman Parker Wolfe led Effingham with 15 points.