Wolfe and Logan Heil both scored and Andrew Splechter connected on two jumpers to cap an 11-0 scoring spree that made it a double-digit spread, 14-3. The Panthers trimmed it to 14-7, but baskets by Donaldson and Splechter made it 18-9 after the opening eight minutes.

It was still a nine-point margin with three minutes to play in the first half. But Wolfe hit a three and Gunner Brown hit a driving layup right before the buzzer, sending the Hearts to the locker room with a 31-18 edge at halftime.

“I knew our defense had to be good today,” Farmer said. “They like to attack the basket a lot, which opens the perimeter. We wanted to stop their drive and then close out on their shooters.

“I was very pleased for the most part,” Farmer added. “We took a couple risks that didn’t pay off, but by and large, I thought our guys did a very good job playing help defense. I thought it was the key to the game.”

Jerseyville made just 2-of-21 shots from three-point range.

The lead fluctuated between 12 and 15 points for most of the third period. Francis Vogel and Jaxon Brunaugh both had six points for Jerseyville, but Spencer Fox drilled two shots from behind the arc and added another jumper to help Effingham maintain its double-digit advantage.

A late three-pointer by Donaldson sent the Hearts into the final quarter with a 14-point spread, 47-33.

The Panthers were still within 12 points with 2½ minutes to play when the Hearts went on their final run to secure the win. Brown, Splechter and Wolfe combined to go 6-for-6 from the foul line during that stretch.

Brunaugh was the only player to score in double figures for the Panthers, who dropped to 14-14 on the season.

The Hearts featured a balanced scoring attack, placing four players in double figures. Splechter led the way with 20 points, while Donaldson finished with 18, Wolfe added 12 and Fox had 10.

“When Donnie is shooting like he did today, Splechter is going to the basket and Garrett is providing his leadership, we can be tough to stop,” Farmer said. “Our balanced scoring was great. They couldn’t just key on one person. They had to try to guard everyone.”

The Hearts shot 48 percent for the game, making 23-of-48 attempts. They were 8-for-14 from long range and 12-for-17 at the line.

The Hearts improved to 11-18 overall. They will travel to Mt. Zion on Thursday night.