Peoria Christian used a 27-16 scoring advantage in the middle two quarters Saturday to come away with a 50-45 victory over Teutopolis in the Eureka Shootout.

The Shoes got four points from Caleb Siemer and a three-pointer from Brendan Niebrugge to build an 11-5 edge after the initial eight minutes. But the undefeated and highly-ranked Chargers outscored T-Town 14-9 in the second period to get within 20-19 at halftime and then 13-7 in the third period to take a 32-27 edge into the final quarter.

A pair of freshmen – Malachi Persinger and Darren McClendon – then helped Peoria Christian secure the victory by combining to score 14 of the team’s fourth-period points.

McClendon finished with a game-high 16 points, while Persinger added 15 and senior Gavin Johnson chipped in with 12, helping the Chargers improve to 11-0. They were ranked No. 4 in the latest Class 1A poll.

Siemer had a strong game for the Shoes, finishing with a double-double – 12 points and 18 rebounds. Max Niebrugge scored 11 points and Brendan Niebrugge added 10.

The Shoes, who dropped to 8-2 on the season, will return to action in the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic. Their first game is set for Tuesday, Dec. 28. T-Town will face Lutheran North in J.H. Griffin Gymnasium.