The Bulldogs trailed 48-38 entering the final eight minutes. Jaccob Dust hit a short jumper and then added a free throw that started an 8-2 run. Jack Hoene connected on a 3-pointer and Dust scored again to close the gap to 50-46.

It was still a four-point margin when Addis connected from long range that made it 55-48 with 2:16 to play. That was the beginning of a 10-1 surge down the stretch that secured the win and set up the rubber match between these two rivals, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7, at St. Anthony High School.

“We had a nice run, but just couldn’t get over the hump,” St. Anthony coach Cody Rincker said. “We had our chances, but just didn’t execute as well as needed to. But I’m extremely proud of our guys. They were down 10, but they didn’t quit. We just came up short.”

The first half was just about as tight as a game could be. The largest lead was five points by St. Anthony. But the game was tied six times – at 9, 11, 13, 20, 22 and 24 -- and the lead changed hands on eight different possessions. Logan Antrim’s bucket sent the Bulldogs to the locker room with a slim 28-27 edge at intermission.

The third quarter was the turning point and it started with back-to-back 3-pointers by T-Town’s Luke Ungrund. Evan Wermert followed with another score and Jordan Hardiek added a free throw, giving the Shoes a 40-33 lead.

Ungrund added a three-point play, Wermert and Matthew Deters both scored and Max Niebrugge made a foul shot to extend the Teutopolis lead to 48-38 heading into the final eight minutes.

“Our defense just wasn’t very good that first half,” Reeder noted. “Talk is a generous word for what was said at halftime. Let’s just say it was emphasized that we needed to do better on defense. I’m very pleased with how they responded.

“We also started attacking on offense better in the third quarter,” the THS coach added. “We wanted as many paint touches as possible. We executed and got better shots.”

“We didn’t slow it down and get quality shots in that third period,” Rincker said. “We took three or four quick shots and just didn’t look sharp. You can’t do that against a good team in their house. And credit Ungrund for hitting those two threes. He’s not normally one of their better shooters, but he stepped up and knocked them down. I thought those were two big shots.”

“I wouldn’t trade Luke for the world,” Reeder admitted. “He gets us in our sets, is one of our better defenders and is shooting the ball better, too. I love having him on our team.”

Teutopolis had three players in double figures. Wermert led the way with 16 points, while Ungrund scored 13 and Brock Deters added 10.

The Shoes shot 47 percent from the field, making 24-of-51 shots. They were 5-for-18 from three-point range and 9-for-15 at the foul line. T-town held a 30-25 rebounding edge, with Wermert pulling down eight and Mitch Hardiek grabbing seven.

Dust led all scorers with 22 points and also had eight rebounds. Hoene was also in double figures with 11.

St. Anthony shot 40 percent, connecting on 20-of-50 attempts. The Bulldogs were 3-for-15 from behind the arc and 6-for-10 from the free throw line.

Both teams will conclude tournament play Saturday. All remaining games will be played at Effingham High School.

The Bulldogs, now 11-2 on the season, will play in the 11th place game. They will face Antioch at 10 a.m.

The Shoes, who improved to 9-2, will face Sacred Heart Griffin at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation championship, which is for 9th place.

St. Anthony 70; Mattoon 63

The Bulldogs opened play Friday morning with a 70-63 overtime victory over Mattoon.

The game was close pretty much throughout. The Green Wave led 20-14 after the first period, but St. Anthony was within 32-20 at halftime.

Jaccob Dust led all scorers with 24 points, while Aaron Webb scored 12 and Jack Hoene added 10 for the Bulldogs. Cam’Ron Thomas led Mattoon with 18 points.

Teutopolis 62; Lawrenceville 30

The Shoes didn’t have much problem winning their opener Friday. They built a 30-14 halftime lead and then outscored the Indians 25-11 in the third period to seize total control.

Evan Wermert had a double-double for T-Town with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Hardiek added 10 points.