The Effingham Hearts made a strong comeback Tuesday night, but it fell short, as Mt. Vernon hung on to post a 69-63 victory at home.

“We started off slow,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “We took a lot of perimeter shots that didn’t fall and Mt. Vernon shot well. They capitalized on our quick possessions and missed attempts.”

As a result, the Hearts found themselves trailing 16-3 after the opening eight minutes. But they didn’t quit playing.

Drew Thompson knocked down a trio of 3-pointers in the second period and EHS trimmed the margin to 10 points, 33-23, by intermission. Parker Wolfe then poured in 12 third-quarter points and the Hearts were within 52-43 heading to the fourth period.

With Wolfe and Drew Thompson both scoring nine more in the final quarter, the Hearts managed to tie the game in the final minute.

“But we made a few mistakes down the stretch that gave them the lead back,” Farmer noted.

Wolfe and Drew Thompson combined to score 51 of the team’s points, with Wolfe finishing with 28 and Thompson adding 23 more. Jackson Creel led the Rams with 19 points.

“We were down 17 on multiple occasions in the game and our guys never quit,” Farmer said. “Even when we have some adversity, we just keep playing, and many times, that tenacity works out in our favor.”

The Hearts, now 16-11, will return home Friday to face Mattoon in an Apollo Conference matchup.

Mt. Vernon also won the junior varsity game, 68-63 in overtime. The Hearts outscored the Rams 23-16 in the fourth quarter to force the extra period. Max Woelfer led EHS with 20 points, while Jeff Volpi scored 19 and Max Hardiek added 10.