Malique Pearse hit two huge free throws and Taylorville withstood a nearly halfcourt shot to send the game into overtime, as the Tornadoes would beat the Effingham Flaming Hearts 67-56. The game was a back and forth physical contest that saw both teams take significant leads only to see the other team come storming back.
Taylorville would trail at halftime 24-20. The game would continue to stay close throughout the third quarter, but Effingham slowly started to pull away even leading by 9 at one point but Taylorville never gave up, storming back in the fourth and leading the scoring 18-9 until a Jude Traub three from near the halfcourt line at the buzzer sent the contest into overtime.
Taylorville would take over in OT including 6 points from Freshman Brock Brown. Malique Pearse was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the game for his coolness under pressure to hit two huge free throws and one in overtime. He would finish with 9 points.
Point totals:
Drake Howard 21
Clark Durbin 13
Baron Odam 9
Malique Pearse 9
Brock Brown 8
The Taylorville Tornadoes improve to 9-8 and stays in second place in the Apollo Conference standings. Effingham falls to 6-12.
The Tornadoes will go back in action on Saturday at 7 PM in the Litchfield Tournament as they take on Father McGivney Catholic. Hear all the action on WTIM.
