Hearts Fall to Edwardsville; Play for 3rd Place at Salem Today at 5pm

The Effingham Hearts stayed with the Edwardsville Tigers for the first half, but eventually fell to the Tigers 54-35 in action Friday night at the Salem Invitational Tournament.

The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com.

The Hearts controlled the tempo for much of the game, leading the Tigers 11-9 after the first quarter, but Edwardsville outscored the Hearts 16-8 in the second quarter to hold a 25-19 halftime lead.

A 15-5 third quarter edge for Edwardsville put the Tigers ahead 40-24, and a 13-11 fourth quarter edge for the Tigers decided the contest.

Jake Stombaugh scored 17 points to lead the Hearts.  Also for Effingham: Trenton Frey four, Alex Carie and Josh Stombaugh three each, and Kevin Daugherty, Phil Knight, Leighton Lark and Tim Gardewine two each.

Edwardsville improved to 15-1 on the season and will play for the championship tonight at 8pm against Centralia.  The Orphans won the other semi-final game Friday night, 50-26 over Troy Triad.

The Hearts are now 11-5 on the season and will take on Triad for third place at 5pm today.  We'll have the game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Here's the schedule today at Salem:

11:30am--consolation bracket semi-final--Mt. Vernon vs. Mattoon

1pm--consolation bracket semi-final--Marion vs. Salem

5pm--3rd Place Game--Effingham vs. Triad

6:30pm--Consolation Championship--Mt. Vernon/Mattoon winner vs. Marion/Salem winner

8pm--Tournament Championship Game--Edwardsville vs. Centralia