The Fulton Lady Hornets' trigger fingers betrayed them in a big way.
Fulton shot just 31 percent (15-of-49) and missed all 17 of its 3-point attempts in a 53-38 North Central Missouri Conference loss to Boonville on Thursday night.
The Lady Hornets - who also shot a dismal 26 percent (6-of-23) at the free-throw line and committed 18 turnovers - slipped to 6-10 overall and 3-4 in the NCMC.
"Obviously, we didn't shoot well," Fulton head coach Jenny Preiss said. "We had plenty of wide-open looks, they just weren't going in."
The Lady Hornets had won their two previous meetings against Boonville this season, the latest a 59-47 victory in the seventh-place game of the California Tournament on Jan. 14.
"It's hard to beat a team three times," Preiss said. "(Boonville) came out and got after it, and wanted it more."
Junior guard Corri Hamilton logged a double-double to guide Fulton, putting up a game-high 20 points to go with 16 rebounds. Senior forward Liz Foreman provided 10 points.
MacKenzie Greis led three players in double figures with 19 points for the Lady Pirates. Bailey Pfeiffer and Aly Wessing followed with 13 points apiece.
The Lady Hornets bowed in the junior varsity game 40-15. Junior guard Kelly Oldani scored a team-high five points.
Fulton travels to Marshall for an NCMC encounter at 2 p.m. Saturday.
N. Bloomfield basketball (VB)...72
Wellsville...................................33
STURGEON - The No. 5 seed Wildcats shot 60 percent (26-of-43) in demolishing the No. 8 Tigers on Thursday night in the consolation semifinals of the Sturgeon Tournament.
"We shot the ball well," New Bloomfield head coach Tyler Clark said. "We were more patient and looking to get better shots."
The Wildcats were in control from the outset, racing to a 34-14 lead at halftime. New Bloomfield's sizable advantage blossomed to 63-27 entering the fourth quarter.
Senior guard Aaron Bedsworth erupted for a game-high 25 points and hit five 3-pointers as the Wildcats shot 67 percent (8-of-12) from behind the arc. Senior guard Kolby O'Dowd added 16 points and sophomore center Trent Crawford contributed 13.
New Bloomfield was playing without two starters Thursday night. Senior guard Daniel Berry - who was averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds - has missed the last seven games with an ankle injury, while sophomore guard Justice Richards was out with an ailing back.
"This was a confidence boost for us," Clark said of Thursday night's victory. "We've had some injuries and other things that have not helped us lately.
"We played hard and executed at times, and we were able to work on some different things."
The Wildcats - who lost to No. 4 seed Community R-6 42-30 in first-round play Tuesday night - will meet either No. 2 Paris or No. 6 South Callaway for fifth place at 5 p.m. Saturday.
N. Callaway basketball (VG)......49
Southern Boone.........................45
ASHLAND - The Ladybirds outlasted the Lady Eagles by outscoring them 18-14 in the fourth quarter Wednesday night to rise above the .500 mark in Mid-Missouri Conference play.
The game was tight throughout. North Callaway owned a slim 17-16 lead at halftime, but Southern Boone pulled into a 31-31 tie to open the fourth quarter.
Senior forward Morgan Brown-Emmons produced nine of her game-high 15 points in the third quarter to pace the Ladybirds (5-8, 2-1 MMC). Junior guard Jordan Gray delivered six of her 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Senior forward Hanna Vore pulled down a team-high seven rebounds for North Callaway.
"It was a good win for the girls," Ladybirds head coach Jack Peace said. "They played hard the entire game and everyone contributed."
Alyssa Sapp led the Lady Eagles (4-11, 1-3) with 14 points.
North Callaway was outscored 19-5 in the third quarter in dropping the junior varsity contest 29-23. Freshman forward Tara Oberlag tallied a team-high 16 points for the Ladybirds (3-6), who were up 16-8 at halftime.
North Callaway travelled to Russellville for a non-conference matchup Thursday night. Results were not available at press time.
The Ladybirds - drawing the eighth seed - go up against No. 1 Harrisburg, ranked No. 4 in Class 2, at 6 p.m. Monday in the first round of the Southern Boone Classic. The game will be played at the high school.
Southern Boone.........................57
N. Callaway basketball (VB)......45
ASHLAND - The Thunderbirds went without a field goal in the fourth quarter and were outscored by the Eagles 21-6 during that span in Wednesday night's Mid-Missouri Conference loss.
North Callaway trailed 27-24 at halftime, but outscored Southern Boone 15-9 in the third quarter to go in front 39-36. The Eagles took the lead for good at 43-42 after hitting a pair of free throws with 4 minutes, 40 seconds to play, then pulled away behind a 14-3 run from that point.
Senior forward Andrew Attebery scored 12 points to guide the Thunderbirds (4-11, 1-2 MMC), who were plagued by 31 turnovers. Junior guard Zack Lavy added 10 points, while Attebery and sophomore forward Zac Eads both had six rebounds.
"We played a lot better than the night before," said North Callaway head coach Tim Turlington, referring to the Thunderbirds' 45-42 home loss to Russellville on Tuesday night. "We put ourselves in position to win (Wednesday night).
"The players never quit, and you can't ask for anymore than that, but you can't commit that many turnovers against a good team."
Nick Carlos answered with a game-high 24 points to direct Southern Boone (11-3, 3-1), followed by Trey Lacy's 13.
In the junior varsity game, North Callaway outscored the Eagles 4-0 in overtime to prevail 42-38. Sophomore guard Justin Murphy led the Thunderbirds (5-4) with 16 points and sophomore forward Logan Robinett came off the bench to contribute nine.
North Callaway, receiving the seventh seed, plays No. 2 Linn - ranked No. 7 in Class 2 - at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the first round of the Southern Boone Classic. The game will be played at the middle school.
Fulton basketball (JVB)..............57
Hallsville....................................47
HALLSVILLE - Three players made it into double figures and the Hornets outscored the Indians 29-19 in the second half of Wednesday night's triumph.
The contest was even at 28-28 at halftime, but Fulton outscored Hallsville 11-6 in the third quarter to take a 39-34 advantage. The Hornets then secured the win by outscoring the Indians 18-13 in the fourth quarter.
Junior forward Jake Nichelson connected for 19 points to direct Fulton (8-1), while freshman forward Dalton Horstmeier had 13 and junior guard Burke Echelmeier contributed 12.
The Hornets weathered Hallsville's 7-of-12 performance from 3-point range.
Fulton hosts Boonville at 6 tonight at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.