For the second time in two days, the Effingham Hearts survived a two-point game.

Wednesday night, the Hearts rallied from a halftime deficit and managed to make enough free throws down the stretch to hang on for a 48-46 win over Knoxville.

The Hearts, now 2-1 in tourney play, will face Cross Creek rival Teutopolis in the fifth place game today (Thursday). That game is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Effingham High School.

EHS led 13-9 after the opening eight minutes, but the Blue Bullets responded by outscoring the hosts 12-5 to take a 21-18 advantage at halftime. The Hearts held a slim 34-33 lead heading into the final quarter.

“This was a tough game, but the kids just kept playing,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “The game just kept going back-and-forth. We got up by four late and did enough good things to get the win.

“We didn’t play very well in the first half,” Farmer added. “But we played with more energy in the second half. We made some adjustments and the kids stepped up and got the job done.”

Jett Volpi and Garrett Wolfe both knocked down three shots from long range and led the Hearts in scoring. Volpi finished with 19 points and Wolfe added 14. Armando Estrada also reached double figures with 12 points.

“Armando gave us some great minutes,” Farmer noted. “Anytime you get that kind of production off the bench it’s a huge lift. He really played well.”

David Hise led Knoxville with 19 points.

The Hearts, who improved to 4-9, will now face Teutopolis for the second time this season. The Shoes posted a 46-37 win just a couple weeks ago.

“I hope our kids are as confident as I am,” Farmer said. “I’m glad to have another opportunity to play them.”