The scoring slowed down in the second half. The Lady Hearts led by as many as 24 points in the third period, but Mattoon was within 46-30 heading into the final quarter.

Two free throws by Larson got the Lady Green Wave within 14 points, 46-32, and gave her team a little momentum. But Althoff hit a short jumper and Donaldson hit another three from the top of the key.

“I really thought we were a shot or two from the game being over,” Schafer said. “When Averie knocked hers down, I thought that ended it.”

Actually, the sophomore point guard made back-to-back threes, helping Effingham close the game on an 8-0 run and end with the 25-point victory.

“Our defense was also very good tonight,” Schafer noted. “At halftime, we talked about being solid on defense. We didn’t want to gamble. We just wanted to make them take tough shots.”

The Lady Green Wave, who dropped to 14-2 on the season, got 13 points from Larson.

The Lady Hearts had three players in double figures. Donaldson and Martin both scored 14 points, while Wolfe added 12.

Martin was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Both she and Austin were selected to the all-tournament team.

“Now, can we carry this over for a three or four-game stretch,” Schafer said. “Our other games in the tournament were just so-so. We didn’t play that well. It would be nice to see us play like we did tonight.”

Effingham improved to 14-3 on the season. The Lady Hearts will return to action with a home game against Newton on January 2.

Effingham 57, Sullivan 42

Effingham clinched a berth in the tournament championship game by posting a 57-42 win over Sullivan on Friday morning.

The Lady Hearts led by a narrow 38-34 margin after three quarters, but then outscored Sullivan 19-4 to clinch the win. Alyssa Martin scored six points, while Bella Austin had five and both Averie Wolfe and Bria Beals added four in that decisive final period.

Martin finished with a game-high 22 points to lead Effingham in scoring.