It’s hard to win a basketball game when you shoot 19 percent.

The Effingham Lady Hearts found that out Saturday.

Effingham simply couldn’t buy a basket and dropped a 54-41 Apollo Conference decision at Mt. Zion.

The Lady Hearts were within 13-10 after the first period, but the Lady Braves then outscored EHS 16-8 in the second quarter to take a double-digit, 29-18, advantage to the locker room at intermission.

It remained a double-digit margin most of the second half. The Lady Hearts trailed 38-26 after three quarters and couldn’t close the gap down the stretch.

Ella Niebrugge was the only Lady Heart in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Madison Mapes added eight.

Effingham dipped to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in league play. The Lady Hearts will travel to Taylorville on Tuesday.