MOKANE - The Bulldogs were outscored by the Wildcats 20-9 in the third quarter of Tuesday night's non-conference loss.
South Callaway (0-5) trailed 13-9 after one quarter, but outscored Montgomery County 20-14 in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 29-27 edge. The Wildcats then used their third-quarter outburst to take a 47-38 lead over the Bulldogs.
Senior guard Treysen Gray topped South Callaway with 31 points and senior guard Dylan Paschang tallied 16.
"That was the best we have executed all season in the first half," Bulldogs head coach Seth Thomas said. "The start of the third quarter we had some lapses in focus offensively and defensively, and dug ourselves a hole we couldn't climb out of."
South Callaway travels to New Bloomfield for its Show-Me Conference opener at 6 p.m. Friday.
"We've battled and been in every game so far this season," Thomas said. "These close games will prepare us for our tough Show-Me Conference schedule.
"New Bloomfield is a well-coached and talented team, and we look forward to the challenge."