Olney Downs Hearts in Non-Conference Action

The Olney Tigers played a great game in defeating the Effingham Hearts Tuesday night, 68-56. The contest at Olney was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Olney shot 53% from the field, making 20 of 38 shots including 9 of 17 threes. The Tigers also played a great defensive game and turned the ball over just seven times. 

(COLE MARXMAN)

Those numbers didn't give the Hearts much of an opening, but they hung tough for much of the game.

Olney took the early lead and were never headed. The Tigers led the game 14-7 after one quarter. The Hearts outscored the Tigers 16-13, though, in the second half to pull within 27-23 at halftime. Olney outpointed Effingham 19-13 in the third quarter and led by 10, 46-36 heading to the fourth quarter. 

Effingham had come close repeatedly, but could never get the game tied. Olney pushed their lead to 12 points midway through the fourth quarter. The Hearts staged a rally, moving back within six, but were eventually outscored 24-20 in the final quarter to lose to the Tigers by 12.

Effingham shot 47% from the field, 21 of 45 including 3 of 7 threes. Neither team shot well from the line; Olney 19 of 30 for 63%, Effingham 9 of 14 for 64%. The Hearts had to foul repeatedly late in the game in an effort to stay close. The Tigers shot 24 foul shots in the fourth quarter.

While Olney turned the ball over seven times, the Hearts only committed 10 turnovers. Effingham had a 26-18 rebound edge.

Effingham's Landon Wolfe scored 20 points in the second half to finish with 26 to lead all scorers. Wolfe also grabbed 11 rebounds to finish with a double-double. Cole Marxman had his best offensive performance, scoring 18 points on 9 of 12 shooting with six boards. Also for Effingham: Drew Thompson six, and Parker Wolfe and Nate Thompson three apiece.

Brent Hatten scored 22 points to lead Olney, who improved to 5-1. Effingham is now 2-4.

Effingham won the JV game big, 56-24. Jacob Briggerman led the JV Hearts with 15 points.

At Olney

EFFINGHAM (56)

Niebrugge 0-0 -- 0, P. Wolfe 0-3 -- 3, L. Wolfe 10-6 -- 26, Bushur 0-0 -- 0, Thompson 2-0 -- 6, N.Thompson 1-0 -- 3, Stoneburner 0-0 -- 0, Marxman 9-0 -- 18. TOTALS 22 FG, 9 FT.

OLNEY (68)

Flanagan 3-6 -- 14, Brown 1-4 -- 7, Duenas 0-2 -- 2, Dunn 5-2 -- 13, Hatten 7-4 -- 22, Travis 2-1 -- 5, Doll 2-0 -- 5, Adams 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 20 FG, 19 FT.

Effingham              7    16    13    20    --    56

Olney                   14    13    19    22    --    68

3-point FG -- Effingham 3 (D. Thompson 2, N. Thompson 1), Olney 9 (Hatten 4, Flangan 2, Brown 1, Dunn 1, Doll 1).