Unfortunately, at times, it was difficult for the Hearts to get off any shot.

Except in the opening quarter. And from long range.

Andrew Donaldson knocked down three shots from behind the arc and Garrett Wolfe added a couple more from long range, helping EHS break out to an early lead. Donaldson and Wolfe hit all of those shots in a 3½-minute span. As a result, the Hearts owned a 16-7 lead at the 2:41 mark of the opening period.

But Mt. Zion countered with a 14-2 run that went through the end of the first quarter and into the second period. Carson Cuddy, a 6’8” senior, scored eight points during the surge that was capped when JC Anderson, that 6’7” freshman, hit a short jumper to give the Braves a 21-18 edge just 2½ minutes into the second quarter.

Mt. Zion also clamped down on the defensive end. The Hearts had four turnovers during that stretch and had difficulty getting a good shot.

“They took away our inside shots, but that opened up some shots from the outside,” Farmer said. “We knocked some of those down, which helped us stay in the game early. They play really good defense. Coach (Dale) Schuring’s teams are always tenacious and aggressive. I’ve known him for years. He’s a really good coach.”

Buckets by Andrew Splechter and Logan Heil, plus another three by Wolfe, kept the Hearts within striking distance in the first half. At intermission, Mt. Zion’s lead was just five, 30-25.

The Braves padded that lead in the third period. After a short jumper by Heil to open the second half, Mt. Zion scored the next six points to make it 36-27.  Later in the quarter, Lyncoln Koester made a quick drive to the basket for two, Sam Driscoll had a pair of free throws and Brayden Trimble turned in a three-point play to make it a 14-point advantage, 45-31.

A late three-pointer by Gunner Brown got the Hearts to within 45-34 heading into the final eight minutes.

Mt. Zion scored the first six points of the fourth period to take its largest lead of the contest, 51-34. But to their credit, the Hearts battled back. Splechter scored six points and Donaldson knocked down two more threes to get EHS within 55-46 at the 1:40 mark. But that was the closest they got.

“You never like to lose, but I was proud of our effort,” Farmer said. “They didn’t quit and battled to the end. But we’ll never be satisfied with a loss. That’s not what we’re here for.”

The Braves, who are now 16-2 overall and 6-0 in the Apollo Conference, had three players in double figures. Cuddy led the way with 15 points, while Koester scored 14 and Grant McAtee added 10.

Donaldson led Effingham. He had five three-pointers and finished with 15 points, while Splechter added 11. The Hearts shot 39 percent overall, connecting on 17-of-43 shots. They were 9-for-18 from behind the arc and 5-for-9 at the foul line. They were out-rebounded 26-21.

The Hearts are now 6-11 for the season and 3-3 in league play. They will play at home twice next week -- Tuesday against Newton and Friday against Taylorville.