BOONVILLE - The Fulton Lady Hornets were able to gain some long overdue redemption against the Boonville Lady Pirates.
Fulton senior guard Sloane Totta produced a game-high 17 points, including five 3-pointers, as the Lady Hornets withstood Boonville's fourth-quarter rally and remained unbeaten with a 56-47 North Central Missouri Conference victory Wednesday night.
Fulton improved to 7-0 on the season and 3-0 in the NCMC.
"To come to Boonville, which beat us three times last year, you have to feel good about the win," Lady Hornets head coach TJ Quick said.
Fulton built a 19-8 advantage after one quarter and went into halftime with a 33-21 edge. The Lady Hornets were eventually up by as many as 20 points in the third quarter and carried a 45-29 lead into the fourth quarter.
With Fulton committing 13 of its 14 turnovers in the second half, Boonville crafted a frantic comeback in the final 8 minutes and closed within seven points with 4:40 to play. The Lady Hornets, though, converted 7-of-10 free throws in the quarter to clinch the victory.
"Boonville started pressing us and we had some costly turnovers in the second half, and that just can't happen," Quick said. "We were trying to push the issue and were moving too fast, and out of control.
"We have to play better in those situations."
Totta also handed out seven assists and had four steals, while senior forward NaShayla Brant registered 15 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for Fulton. Senior forward Crystal Tilson also contributed eight points.
Paige Renfrow paced the Lady Pirates with 15 points and Jamie Lemmons added 14.
The Lady Hornets finally play their home opener when they square off against Kirksville in an NCMC clash at 6 p.m. Friday at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.
"We knew coming in that this was going to be a big week," Quick said. "Boonville and Kirksville are both tough conference opponents - one down, one to go."