The Trojans used a 9-0 run in the first quarter, capped by a basket and then a three-pointer from William Applegate, to open a 14-6 lead. But the Hearts then responded with an 8-2 surge of their own. Garrett Wolfe drilled a three and added a three-point play and Logan Heil scored after grabbing an offensive rebound to make it 16-14 after eight minutes of play.

A three by Andrew Donaldson gave the Hearts a 17-16 lead to open the second quarter. Charleston scored the next five points, but a basket by Wolfe and a three by Ritz gave EHS its final lead of the game, 22-21.

Caleb Oakley scored from long range and Applegate hit two more shots, including one at the buzzer, to give the hosts a 28-24 lead as the two teams headed to the locker room at halftime.

Wolfe scored six points in the third period to keep the Hearts close, but they still trailed 38-32 heading into the final quarter.

“We’re getting better, but tonight was a defensive setback for us,” Farmer said. “Charleston just got too many easy baskets off our defense. We just can’t do that.”

Wolfe had 20 points and Ritz added 18 to lead the EHS scoring attack. The Hearts didn’t shoot well overall, making 18-of-59 attempts, a cool 30 percent clip. They were 5-for-22 from behind the arc and 4-for-6 from the foul line.

The Hearts dipped to 9-17 on the season overall and 1-9 in the Apollo Conference. They will be back in action Friday night, traveling to Lincoln. They will also play Saturday in the Wooden Shoes Shootout in Teutopolis. Effingham will play the opening game and face Champaign Centennial at 1 p.m.