A three-pointer by KJ Kellams, jump shots by Spencer Fox and Rylan Pals and a pair of free throws from both Wade Bushur and Ethan Jones helped Effingham take a slim 12-11 lead after the opening eight minutes.

Cannon Bockhorn knocked down a shot from long range to keep the Hearts on top early in the second period. Baskets by Bushur, Fox and Nolan Fearday helped EHS maintain that narrow two-point margin, 21-19.

But a three-pointer by Belleville East’s Jacori Brown sparked the scoring spree that turned the game around. Brown added two free throws, Nate Smith hit a jumper and Christian Jenkins scored six points to complete the 13-0, four-minute run that gave the Lancers a 32-21 edge.

It was a 36-24 lead at intermission.

The Hearts made only one shot the final five minutes of the half and turned the ball over four times. By halftime, EHS had 13 turnovers.

“I thought we were solid defensively the entire game,” Farmer noted. “But transition points were the difference. Turnovers are what hurt us. Some of the guys handling the ball had never been asked to do that before. They will improve.”

The turnovers did improve in the second half, but the shooting did not. The Hearts went nearly 10 minutes before making a basket. They went 0-for-9 in the third quarter, making just three free throws.

The Lancers, meanwhile, were not having difficulty scoring. They made three shots from behind the arc, outscored Effingham 21-3 and built a 57-27 cushion heading into the final eight minutes.

“We got some decent looks,” Farmer said. “We’re not good enough to give away possessions, whether that’s turning the ball over or missing easy shots. We missed some layups in that third quarter. We can shoot better than that.”

A three-pointer by Pals broke the shooting drought, but Belleville East had the game under control by that time.

Pals was the only Heart to hit double figures, finishing with 10 points. Effingham shot a cool 30 percent, connecting on 11-of-37 shots overall. They were 4-for-17 from long range and 9-for-16 at the foul line. They finished with 19 turnovers and were outrebounded 29-16.

Effingham will return to action tonight (Wednesday), facing Rantoul at 5 p.m.

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In Tuesday night’s other games, Champaign Central squeaked by Robinson 65-63; and Breese Central rolled past Mattoon 60-36.

Wednesday night’s schedule will include the Effingham-Rantoul contest at 5 p.m.; Robinson facing Mattoon at 6:30 p.m.; and St. Anthony battling Belleville East at 8 p.m.