But Averie Wolfe scored on a driving layup and Alyssa Martin added back-to-back jumpers, sending the hosts to the locker room with a 30-23 edge at intermission.

Bella Austin connected on a three-point shot to open the third period, giving the Lady Hearts a 10-point spread, 33-23.

St. Anthony trimmed the lead to five, 33-28, and had chances to get even closer. The Lady Hearts committed a turnover, and then missed two short jumpers and four straight free throws. But the Lady Bulldogs weren’t able to take advantage, turning the ball over a couple time themselves.

With less than a minute left in the third period, it was only a six-point margin, 36-30. But 51 seconds later, the Lady Hearts were in total control.

Martin scored from the inside, was fouled and completed a three-point play. She then converted an SAHS turnover into a basket and with the clock winding down, Wolfe drilled a long three to complete the quick 8-0 scoring spree and give the hosts a 44-30 advantage heading into the final eight minutes.

Then just 29 seconds into the fourth period, Wolfe struck again from behind the arc, expanding the lead to 17 points.

“Those back-to-back threes by Averie were huge,” Schafer admitted. “I thought those two shots blew the game open. Plus, they were good for her confidence.”

St. Anthony was unable to get any closer than 14 points the rest of the way, while Effingham’s largest lead was 22.

“Effingham is so disciplined,” Rios noted. “They spread us out, were patient and just waited for something to happen. They had six to eight points in transition, plus another six or eight points off turnovers. They know how to get it done. You have to compete at the highest level against teams like that.”

The first half was close throughout. Back-to-back scores by Addie Lauritzen gave the Lady Bulldogs an 8-5 lead midway through the opening period. But three-pointers by Austin and Raddatz, plus a late score from Sydney Donaldson, put EHS on top, 17-15, after the first quarter.

The Lady Hearts expanded the lead to 23-17, but baskets by Addi Nuxholl, Nancy Ruholl and Gannaway trimmed it to 24-23.

“We ran some really good sets to get open shots tonight,” Rios explained. “We even put in a couple different wrinkles for this game. But they did a good job rotating defenders on us. We’re a good team, though. I’m confident we’ll bounce back.”

Ruholl scored a game-high 21 points for the Lady Bulldogs. She was their only player in double figures.

St. Anthony shot just 35 percent from the floor, connecting on 16-of-46 attempts. They were 1-for-8 from behind the arc and 8-for-12 at the foul line. The Lady Bulldogs held a 28-20 rebounding edge, with both Ruholl and Lauritzen pulling down eight boards. They also committed 20 turnovers.

The Lady Hearts had two players in double figures – Martin with 18 points and Wolfe with 15. EHS was 22-for-50 from the floor, a 44 percent clip. They were 6-for-15 from long range and 9-for-16 at the free throw line. They turned the ball over 14 times.

“I thought our defense was the difference in the game,” Schafer said. “I thought our perimeter players forced Ruholl into taking some tough shots. Our team effort defensively was awesome.

“We’re playing better, but we’re still not making as many shots as we need to,” Schafer added. “We just need to keep taking good shots. They’re going to start falling in.”

The Lady Bulldogs are now 10-2 on the season, while the Lady Hearts improved to 11-2. Both teams will now compete in the Coles County Girls Holiday Basketball Tournament, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27-28.

In fact, they will play each other again on December 27.

St. Anthony will open tourney play at 10 a.m. against Charleston and Effingham will face Charleston at 4:30 p.m.

But the Lady Hearts and Lady Bulldogs will square off at 1 p.m. Each of those three games will be played at Charleston High School.