A pair of third-quarter three-pointers by Ella Niebrugge proved to be the spark Effingham needed.

The Lady Hearts used those shots to ignite what turned into a 21-5 second half run that propelled EHS to a 39-23 victory Monday night over Newton in an opening-round game of the Bob Kerans Thanksgiving Tournament, played in Newton.

The first half was tight throughout. The score was tied 10-10 after the first eight minutes and 18-18 at intermission.

Niebrugge’s threes helped the Lady Hearts go ahead 29-21 at the end of the third period. She then knocked down another from behind the arc, as Effingham outscored Newton 10-2 in the final quarter to pull away for the 16-point decision.

Niebrugge finished with a team-high 10 points, with all 10 coming in the second half. Madison Mapes scored nine and Bria Beals added eight.

The Lady Hearts improved to 2-0. They will return to tournament action on Wednesday when they face Flora at 6 p.m. Effingham will then wrap up tournament play Friday with a 1:30 p.m. matchup with Altamont.