Unbeaten Lincoln outscored Effingham 31-17 in the second half Friday night to break open a close game and post a 56-39 victory at home.

The Hearts fell behind by double digits early, trailing 15-5 after the opening eight minutes. But EHS then opened the second quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 16-15 lead. Lincoln came back to take a 25-22 lead as the teams headed to the locker room at intermission.

The Railsplitters, who improved to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the Apollo Conference, built the lead to 39-29 after three quarters and then outscored Effingham 17-10 in the final eight minutes to seal the victory.

Lincoln had four players score in double figures, but Effingham had just one – Parker Wolfe, who led the Hearts with 23 points.

EHS also dropped the junior varsity game by a score of 41-27. Brayden Pals had seven points.

Effingham, now 5-2 overall and 1-1 in league play, will return home Tuesday to face county rival Teutopolis. The Hearts will then travel to Charleston on Friday and play at home Saturday against Newton.