A three-pointer by Coralin Ohnesorge helped EHS get within 12-6 after the first quarter.

SAHS didn’t connect on a field goal in the second period and had to settle for five free throws from Fearday. The Lady Hearts got seven points from Meredith Schaefer and surged back to the tie the game, 17-17, at intermission.

“That first half was the lowest amount of points we’ve scored all year,” Rios noted. “We’re a running team, but they were able to slow us down. We want to use pressure defense, get to the boards, get out in transition and look for easy baskets. To their credit, they didn’t let us do that.”

Ella Niebrugge hit a three, but Fearday responded with a three-point play and Karolewicz added two more free throws to put the Lady Bulldogs on top, 23-21, at the 3:31 mark of the third period. At that point, EHS starters Sawyer Althoff, Marissa Allie and Schaefer each had three fouls and Niebrugge went to the bench with her fourth.

But that’s when Saige Althoff made her presence felt. She knocked down the three, then added a pair of free throws and another short jumper to give the Lady Hearts a 28-26 edge entering the final eight minutes.

She scored six more points in the fourth period, but Effingham also received contributions from others. Schaefer pumped in another seven points and finished off a double-double by pulling down four more rebounds. Niebrugge scored four points and Ohnesorge connected again from long range.

That, plus six SAHS turnovers, helped the Lady Hearts put together a closing 14-5 run that made the final score look more lopsided than the game really was.

“Going into that final period, I was concerned,” Schafer admitted. “On our first two possessions, we had the perfect sets called, but we didn’t execute well. Then Saige and Meredith hit a couple shots, we got some turnovers off our press and that got us going. For most of the fourth quarter, I thought we played really good.”

Early on, it looked like the play of Fearday and Hatton on the inside would be problematic for Effingham. The first four trips down the floor resulted in some quick points for the Lady Bulldogs.

“At the start, they tried to play us straight up,” Rios said. “Lucy was able to get a couple easy shots. But then they started doubling her, plus we missed some easy shots we should have made.”

“I brought Coralin in and I thought that made a difference,” Schafer added. “She has a little more size and is more physical. I thought Coralin did a phenomenal job making Fearday work. I thought that, plus our rebounding, was another key tonight.

“I also thought our guards did a great job on Karolewicz,” the EHS coach continued. “She’s their energy. She makes them go. But we did a nice job keeping her away from the basket.”

Fearday finished with a game-high 16 points, while Riley Guy added nine for SAHS. Schaefer had 15 points and 10 rebounds, plus Saige Althoff had her 13.

Neither team shot the ball very well. The Lady Hearts connected on 16-of-49 attempts, a 33 percent clip. They were 5-for-19 from behind the arc and 12-of-22 from the foul line. The Lady Bulldogs also shot 33 percent, making 9-of-27 shots. They were 2-for-5 from long range and 14-of-22 from the charity stripe. EHS owned a 27-16 rebounding edge.

“This is the second time in the last three games we’ve lost the game in the final four minutes,” Rios noted. “We’re playing good basketball for three quarters, but when things get tight at the end, we’re not finishing. We’re not showing discipline and not executing on offense or defense. That’s my job as coach to figure that out and make sure we execute down the stretch.”

The Lady Bulldogs dipped to 7-5 overall. They will play at home Saturday against Arthur-Lovington. The junior varsity is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Coach Schafer is pleased to see so many different players contributing.

“It seems like a different kid is making a difference for us every game,” he said. “Tonight, Saige and Coralin really stepped up for us. In an earlier game, it was Krista Phillips. Meredith’s shot wasn’t really on tonight, but she found other ways to score and went to the boards well.

“For us to be successful, we need the whole team,” Schafer added. “That’s one of the things I like best about this group. Everybody contributes. We are a real team.”

The Lady Hearts improved to 9-2 overall. They are back in action tonight (Friday), traveling to Lincoln for an Apollo Conference contest. That will be their final game before the Charleston Holiday Tournament, which begins Monday, Dec. 27.