Effingham Hands St. Anthony, 71-61 Girls Basketball Loss

The Bulldogs took the opening quarter lead by a 21-16 count. Stacie Vonderheide and Nancy Ruholl were on offensively. Vonderheide hit three baskets, one from three-point range, and was two of three at the line for nine points while Ruholl connected on a regular basket, a three-pointer and was three of three at the line for eight.

Meanwhile, Alyssa Martin hit three baskets and a free throw for the Hearts.

Effingham came back with a 15-12 second period to pull within 33-31 at halftime. Vonderheide continued her scoring for the Bulldogs with six points. Martin scored six and Bella Austin five for the Hearts.

St. Anthony was still in charge in the third period. Ruholl went on a six point run while Adysen Rios and Vonderheide added four each.

But the Hearts were still outscoring the Bulldogs and had pulled within 47-46 going into the final quarter. Martin hit seven points while Austin added five.

Then the momentum shifted totally to the Hearts. EHS went on a 25-14 run to pull out the 10-point victory. Averie Wolfe, who had two baskets in the first and second quarters for four points heading into the final period, went on a run that turned the game around.

Wolfe hit two three-pointers and was a perfect six of six at the line for 12 of the Hearts 25 points. Meanwhile, Austin continued along with a three-pointer and also was perfect at the line with four of four. EHS finished with 14 of 18 from the free throw line in the final quarter.

Austin and Martin provided the one-two scoring punch for EHS with 21 points each and Wolfe came on strong to pull the Hearts out of the fire with 17 points.

EHS finished with 20 of 22 from the free throw line for 90 percent. The Hearts, who were listed in the Class 3A state basketball poll in the others receiving votes with 10.

St. Anthony was also led by a one-two scoring punch. Vonderheide led the way with 25 points on 11 field goals and two of three at the line. Ruholl tallied 24 on six field goals and 11 of 14 at the line.

The Bulldogs, ranked seventh in the first Class 1A state basketball poll, dropped to 8-4 on the season.

At St. Anthony

EFFINGHAM (71)

Hodge 0-0 -- 0, Martin 8-5 -- 21, wolfe 4-7 -- 17, Beals 2-0 -- 4, Moser 0-3 -- 3, Althoff 1-0 -- 2, Donaldson 1-1 -- 3, Austin 7-4 -- 21. TOTALS 23 FG, 20 FT.

ST. ANTHONY (61)

Rios 3-0 -- 6, Ruholl 6-11 -- 24, Nuxoll 0-2 -- 2, Faber 0-0 -- 0, Vonderheide 11-2 -- 25, Lauritzen 0-0 -- 0, Kabbes 2-0 -- 4. TOTALS 22 FG, 15 FT.

Effingham                  16    15    15    25    --     71

St. Anthony               21    12    14    14    --    61

3-point FG -- Effingham 5 (Austin 3, Wolfe 2), St. Anthony 2 (Ruholl 1, Vonderheide 1).