Despite playing without two starters, the St. Anthony Bulldogs played Belleville East tough before falling 58-44 in Wednesday night’s final game of the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament.

With Ryan Schmidt injured and Max Koenig forced to sit out a game after being ejected Monday night, the Bulldogs stayed close to the Lancers, especially during the first half.

With Brock Fearday scoring 10 of his game-high 20 points, the Bulldogs were within 26-23 at halftime. But Belleville East then outscored the hosts 32-21 in the second half to pull away and go to 2-0 in the tourney.

Collin Westendorf was also in double figures for SAHS, finishing with 15 points. The Lancers had three players in double figures, led by Jacori Brown’s 13.

The Bulldogs, now 1-1, will face cross-town rival Effingham at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

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In Wednesday night’s second game, Mattoon posted a 65-54 victory over Robinson.

Friday’s schedule is as follows – Rantoul vs. Belleville East at 3 p.m.; Breese Central vs. Robinson at 4:30 p.m. Mattoon vs. Champaign Central at 6 p.m.; and Effingham vs. St. Anthony at 7:30 p.m.