It didn't matter that Kalin Mitchell missed his first 11 shots.
Mitchell was dead-on when it was necessary.
Fulton's junior guard buried what proved to be a decisive 3-pointer with 1 minute, 18 seconds to play in overtime, sending the Hornets to a 52-51 non-conference victory over (Columbia) Battle on Tuesday night at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.
Fulton (10-4) scrambled back from a 10-point halftime deficit to rally for its second straight victory. Mitchell's 3-pointer with :13.9 remaining in regulation tied the game at 47-all and forced overtime.
Senior forward Sam Christensen accounted for the first basket in the extra period to put the Hornets on top, but Battle went in front 51-49 when Jadaunte Sutton scored on consecutive possessions. On Fulton's following trip downcourt, Mitchell connected on his climactic 3 to give the Hornets the lead for good.
The Spartans had a pair of chances to pull off the victory with under a minute left, but were unable to convert. Daviante Ostrander missed two free throws, then after Fulton junior forward D'Angelo Walker missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Ostrander's 3-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark.
The Hornets went into halftime down 25-15, but opened the third quarter with a 14-4 run and tied the game at 29-all on senior forward Devin Gibson's 3. Fulton outscored Battle 6-5 over the rest of the period, taking a 35-34 edge on Mitchell's 3-pointer.
The Spartans countered by producing the first eight points of the fourth quarter, going up 42-35 on Parley Jenkins' trey. Battle eventually led 47-42, but the Hornets tallied the last five points of regulation - a Christensen basket and Mitchell's dramatic 3 - to send the game to overtime.
Mitchell guided Fulton with 14 points. Christensen was next with 12 points and senior guard Austin Wilson added 10 as the Hornets - who committed 15 turnovers - survived a woeful 29-percent shooting effort (20-of-68), including just 28 percent (8-of-29) from 3-point range.
Christensen pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds as Fulton and Battle ended up in a 44-44 standoff on the boards.
Sutton logged a game-high 20 points to direct three players in double figures for the Spartans (5-9), who shot just 33 percent (18-of-55) as a team and had 17 turnovers. Ostrander and Jenkins contributed 11 points apiece.
The Hornets travel to Jefferson City for a varsity/junior varsity girls-boys' doubleheader against Helias at 6 p.m. Friday. The Crusaders are ranked No. 4 in Class 4.