The Effingham Hearts gave Mascoutah all they could handle Saturday before dropping a 45-41 decision in overtime.

It was part of the Marion Shootout.

The game was close throughout. The Hearts led 9-8 after the first eight minutes and the game was tied 23-23 at intermission. The Indians led 33-32 after three quarters and the game was tied 37-37 at the end of regulation.

Mascoutah took the lead in the extra period, but a basket by Garrett Wolfe tied it up. The Indians scored the next four points and EHS was unable to score again until two free throws by Logan Heil with just 1.8 seconds to play.

“The kids played awesome,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “After the game, I told them it was okay to be upset about the loss, but they had nothing to hang their heads about. They followed the game plan. We kept Mascoutah out of transition and we forced them to shoot outside the arc. We did not want to let them attack and get to the rim.”

Wolfe paced the Hearts with 16 points and Heil finished with 11.

“Mascoutah is a really good team,” Farmer noted. “The only team they’ve lost to so far was Collinsville.

“I feel like there’s been obvious growth since our first game,” the EHS coach added. “Every game we’re taking a step forward. The kids are eager to get better. They’re not satisfied to just go out and compete. To see where we started to where we are now, I’m very pleased with the progress this team is making.”

Effingham, now 2-4, will play three homes games next week – Tuesday against Mattoon; Friday against Mahomet-Seymour; and Saturday against Mt. Vernon.