The Fulton Hornets encountered more overtime craziness in less than a week, only this time it didn't go their way.
Jace Lance broke out for a game-high 41 points as the unbeaten Marshall Owls outlasted Fulton in a 99-92 NCMC victory in double overtime Friday night at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.
The Hornets took a 46-44 lead into the fourth quarter, but the two teams were tied at 68-all at the end of regulation to force the first overtime. Fulton and Marshall were even again at 79-all to send the contest to the second extra period.
The loss was the second in a row for the Hornets, who slipped to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the North Central Missouri Conference. Fulton previously edged Bowling Green 71-70 in overtime to capture its second straight Montgomery County Tournament title on Dec. 1.
The Hornets were only down 15-14 after one quarter Friday night, then outscored Marshall 20-18 in the second quarter to carry a 34-33 lead into halftime. Fulton outscored the Owls 12-11 in the third quarter and entered the final 8 minutes of regulation with a two-point edge.
"It was another wild game for us," Hornets head coach Justin Gilmore said of Friday night's outcome. "It was a close game all night, back and forth for most of the night.
"We had the lead late in the fourth quarter, but couldn't come up with a free throw when we needed it."
The loss spoiled a career performance by Fulton junior forward Tyler Sayler, who made 17-of-24 shots in tallying 39 points. Sayler - who was one of four players to score in double figures for the Hornets - also collected 15 rebounds.
Senior guard Anthony Paine - who finished 9-of-13 from the field - provided 21 points for Fulton, which shot a sizzling 62 percent (38-of-61) as a team. Senior guards Preston Lawson and Taeon Logan contributed 10 points apiece.
"I thought our guys battled all night against a great Marshall team," Gilmore said. "I thought we rebounded the ball much better and I'm proud of our guys for making adjustments, and going out and fighting for every ball.
"Every conference game is tough and you've got to be strong in every aspect of the game to get a win."
Jaylen Varner added 21 points for Marshall (6-0, 2-0) and Malik Evans followed with 19.
The Hornets (1-1) bowed to the Owls 52-47 in the junior varsity game. Sophomore Seth Sayler finished with 10 points and sophomore Cameron Bennett contributed nine.
Fulton goes to Boonville for a non-conference game at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
"We are close to being where we need to be," Gilmore said. "We'll make a few adjustments this week and try to go out and get a win against a solid Boonville team on Tuesday."