BOWLING GREEN - The North Callaway Ladybirds' seemingly safe lead disappeared in a disastrous fourth quarter.
North Callaway owned a nine-point advantage going into the final 8 minutes of play Wednesday night, but was outscored by Bowling Green 20-4 during that span as the Lady Bobcats handed the Ladybirds their first Eastern Missouri Conference loss of the season 56-44.
North Callaway was in front 23-15 at halftime and 36-27 after three quarters, but then its offense dried up as the Ladybirds slipped to 17-6 on the season and 7-1 in the EMO.
Mexico 60
Fulton 44
MEXICO - The Lady Hornets dropped to 7-14 on the season and 3-5 in the North Central Missouri Conference after Wednesday night's loss to the rival Lady Bulldogs.
The game was tied at 15-all after one quarter, but Mexico outscored Fulton 18-10 in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 33-25 lead. The Lady Hornets were only down 44-37 to close out the third quarter, but the Lady Bulldogs pulled away by outscoring Fulton 16-7 over the last 8 minutes.
Boys' basketball
Mexico 60
Fulton 45
MEXICO - The Hornets were outscored by the rival Bulldogs by 16 points at the free-throw line in Wednesday night's North Central Missouri Conference setback.
The contest was a 10-10 standoff after one quarter, but Mexico outscored Fulton 20-10 in the second quarter to carry a 30-20 advantage into the break. The Hornets trailed 43-35 at the end of the third quarter, but the Bulldogs outscored Fulton 17-10 over the final 8 minutes to seal the win.
Mexico made 24-of-28 free throws overall, while the Hornets attempted only 11 and hit eight.
Bowling Green 56
North Callaway 44
BOWLING GREEN - The Thunderbirds were unable to overcome a 29-15 halftime deficit in falling to the Bobcats in Eastern Missouri Conference play Wednesday night.
Senior guard Miguel Hudson posted a team-high 12 points for North Callaway (11-13, 5-3 EMO), which trailed 41-24 going into the fourth quarter. Senior guard Chance Kee contributed 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
South Callaway 85
Belle 31
MOKANE - Junior guard Cory Hanger's 19 points directed four players in double figures Tuesday night as the Bulldogs demolished the Tigers in a non-conference mismatch.
South Callaway bolted to a 20-4 lead after one quarter and charged into halftime with a commanding 47-8 advantage.
New Bloomfield 61
Russellville 39
NEW BLOOMFIELD - Sophomore guard Grant Nichols tallied a team-high 13 points as the Wildcats rolled to the convincing Show-Me Conferenc triumph over the Indians on Tuesday night.
Senior forward Alex Cuneio chipped in with nine points for New Bloomfield.