The Effingham Hearts turned in a pretty solid performance Saturday night, but dropped a 59-46 decision at Lincoln.

“We were patient and handled ourselves well against their press,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “We missed four point-blank layups and gave them a couple second chance opportunities. Overall, we played well, but to beat a team like Lincoln, you have to play nearly perfect.”

Andrew Donaldson connected on a pair of three-pointers and Garrett Wolfe added another from long range and the Hearts were within 15-11 after the first eight minutes. The Railsplitters then outscored the Hearts 14-5 in the second period to build a 29-16 advantage at halftime.

Both teams scored 30 points in the second half.

Wolfe finished with 18 points and Donaldson added 12 for the Hearts. Payton Cook, Lincoln’s 6’7” standout, scored a game-high 21 points to help the Railers improve to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Apollo Conference.

The Hearts dropped to 4-8 overall and 3-2 in league play. They will not play again until Wednesday, Dec. 28, when they face Highland in a first-round game of the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic. That game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.