Lady Hearts Take First Step Down Postseason Trail With Win Over Urbana

Fresh off a 27-win regular season, the Effingham Lady Hearts took their first step down the postseason trail Wednesday night, defeating the Urbana Tigers 72-52 at the Rantoul 3A Regional Tournament. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Effingham pulled ahead early and kept Urbana at bay, but the Tigers played the Lady Hearts even in the second half.

Effingham led 20-10 after one quarter and held a 43-22 lead at halftime. Urbana outscored the Lady Hearts 14-9 in the third quarter to make it 52-36, but Effingham outpointed the Tigers 20-16 in the final quarter to win by 20 points.

Effingham had a great shooting night, hitting 57% of their shots, 27 of 47 including 9 of 18 threes. The Lady Hearts had a tough night at the line, making just 9 of 17 attempts, and turned the ball over 12 times.

Urbana made 43% of its shots, 24 of 56, including 4 of 15 threes. They were 2 of 6 at the line, but committed just eight turnovers. Effingham outrebounded Urbana 32 to 25.

Effingham had the ultimate in balanced scoring, five players each scored 12 points; Carsyn Fearday, Aly Armstrong, Natalie Carie, Abby Weis and Skyler Schafer. Shelby Myers scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Miranda Fox stayed busy playing feeder and scored four points. 

Urbana was led in scoring by senior Lauryn Cross, the only senior on the Urbana squad. Alarea Jackson added 13 points, and Chian Scott added 12 points.

Effingham is now 28-2 and will play for the regional championship Thursday at 7pm against Champaign Central, who came from behind to beat Paris 46-43. Central scored 11 of the last 12 points to pull off the upset. We'll have the game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. Urbana closes its campaign with a 5-18 mark.

If the Hearts win the regional, they will face either Bloomington Central Catholic or Rochester at the Lincoln Sectional Tuesday. Those two meet for the Bloomington Central Catholic Regional championship tonight.