The Mt. Zion Braves used a strong second-half shooting performance, especially from long range, to pull away and post a 68-49 victory Saturday night on Senior Night at Effingham.

The Braves held a slim 26-24 lead at intermission, but then went 6-for-8 from three-point range to spark a 42-25 scoring surge in the final 16 minutes to secure the win.

Mt. Zion had four three-pointers and Ethan Hamrick added eight points to help the guests go on a 22-11 run in the third period to take control. The Braves then outscored the Hearts 20-14 in the final quarter.

The game was close in the first half. Jeff Volpi connected on a three and scored seven first-quarter points, as the Hearts built a slim 14-12 edge after the first eight minutes. Mt. Zion’s Lyncoln Koester did the exact same thing as Volpi in the second period, helping the Braves take the two-point lead at halftime.

Mt. Zion had three players in double figures – Koester 16, Jack Driscoll 13 and Hamrick 10. The Braves finished their regular season with a 21-6 record overall and 6-6 in the Apollo Conference.

Volpi led the Hearts with 17 points.

 Four Seniors – Volpi, Ethan Ritz, Dalton Fox and Brayden Pals – played their final home game at Effingham High School.

The Hearts finished the regular season with a 10-20 overall record and 1-11 in the conference. They will now compete in the Olney (Richland County) Regional. Effingham, seeded No. 8, will face No. 2 Olney at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Mascoutah (No. 3) and Marion (No. 6) will play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and the winners of the two games will play at 7 p.m. Friday for the regional championship.