The Effingham Hearts made the long trip to Lincoln Friday night and dropped a 42-29 decision to the Apollo Conference-leading Railsplitters.

The hosts got 11 first-quarter points from Peyton Cook and jumped out to an 18-4 lead after the opening eight minutes. It was 26-13 at halftime and 36-21 after three quarters.

Cook was the only player in the game to crack double figures, finishing with 16. The Hearts got nine points from Armando Estrada, eight from Ethan Ritz and seven from Brayden Pals, who returned to the lineup after a hand injury had sidelined him for several weeks.

The Hearts dipped to 9-18 on the season overall and 1-10 in the Apollo Conference. It will be a quick turnaround for the EHS boys. They will be back in action Saturday in the Wooden Shoes Shootout in Teutopolis. Effingham will play the opening game and face Champaign Centennial at 1 p.m.