The Olney Tigers used a big third quarter to build a double-digit lead, en route to a 52-32 win at home over Effingham.

The Hearts kept within striking distance in the first half. They trailed 11-5 after the first period and 21-13 at intermission.

Arjay Keller, Rex Hallam and Casey Thomann then combined to score 14 points for Olney in the third quarter, sparking a 16-4 run that expanded the gap to 20 points, 37-17.

All three of those players scored in double figures. Hallam led the way with 17 points, while Thomann had 15 and Keller added 13 for the Tigers, who improved to 14-9.

KJ Kellams led Effingham with nine points and Cannon Bockhorn added seven.

The Hearts have now dropped eight games in a row and stand at 6-19 for the season. They will play an Apollo Conference contest Thursday night at Mattoon.