The two teams traded turnovers in the final minute. When the guests got the ball back with 42 seconds to play, they decided not to go for the final shot. They missed two jumpers, but Effingham was unable to grab a rebound.

Mahomet-Seymour made it three straight misses when Dyer’s shot glanced off the rim. But Bohm was in perfect position and went up for the tip-in that proved to be the game-deciding play.

Unfortunately, the Hearts were unable to get off a shot in the final eight seconds.

“On that final inbounds play, we were hoping they would chase one of our shooters, but they didn’t,” Thompson explained. “So, we tried to lob the ball inside for a catch and shoot. We just weren’t able to get it done.”

It looked like the game might get away from the Hearts in the second period. Back-to-back baskets by Miles Woolsey gave the Bulldogs a 20-13 lead with 3:02 remaining.

But the final three minutes belonged to the home team. Phillips scored on three straight possessions. Then following an MSHS turnover, Cannon Bockhorn converted it into a layup, completing the 8-0 run, and sending Effingham to the locker room with a 21-20 edge at intermission.

“What I liked the best was we didn’t panic,” Thompson said. “We got a couple run-outs and Cole hit some shots. We kept playing hard on defense and were patient on offense. We didn’t force things.”

Mahomet-Seymour made another surge to open the third quarter. The Bulldogs came out in a 1-2-2 zone press that caused Effingham problems, resulting in a pair of quick turnovers. Malachi Nichols hit a three-pointer, Bohm converted a turnover into a short jumper and Hannah took advantage of another EHS miscue, connecting on a three.

That completed an 8-0 run in just 94 seconds and put the guests back on top, 28-21.

Once again, the Hearts played tough and started to close the gap. A basket by Niebrugge and a three-pointer by Bockhorn got them within two points. But a three by Mahomet-Seymour’s Paxson O’Malley sent the Bulldogs into the final eight minutes with a 32-26 edge.

“We haven’t practiced much against a 1-2-2 press,” Thompson admitted. “We’re going to need to work on it because we’re probably going to see it again. We didn’t get the ball in the middle as much as we should have, and when we did, we didn’t attack the basket. But we’ll work on it.”

As the final tally indicates, it was a low-scoring game. Both teams played tough defense and the Hearts, especially, were extremely patient on the offensive end.

“I don’t know that I thought it would low scoring tonight, but I did expect it to be a close game,” Thompson said. “We missed a few shots, but then again, we hit some good ones, too. And we had good effort on the defensive end the entire game. We did what we could to keep it close.”

Hannah led the Bulldogs with 13 points. Overall, they shot 39 percent, connecting on 14-of-36 attempts. They were 6-for-15 from behind the arc and 7-for-10 at the free throw line. They held a 21-15 rebounding advantage and committed 16 turnovers.

Phillips turned in a game-high 16 points and also led the Hearts with six rebounds.

“I don’t want guys hesitating when they have a good shot and Cole didn’t,” Thompson noted. “He can make shots. He’s put in a lot of work. I think he’s getting more and more comfortable with his game.”

The Hearts made 17-of-41 shots from the floor, a 41 percent clip. They were 3-for-11 from long range and 0-for-1 from the line.

“I like what I’m seeing so far from this group,” Thompson said. “I like seeing them get excited for each other when they make a shot or a good play. That’s what we need. That’s what makes this game fun.

“We’re going to be alright,” the coach added. “We’re doing some good things and we’re going to continue to battle.”

The Hearts dropped to 3-6 overall and 2-1 in the Apollo. They will be back in action Saturday, playing host to Mt. Vernon.