MOBERLY - The Fulton Hornets checked off a long overdue objective.
Senior forward Cameron Vaughn produced a double-double with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds as Fulton wrapped up its first North Central Missouri Conference title in 28 years with a 65-43 romp over the Moberly Spartans on Wednesday night.
Fulton - which last won a conference championship in 1990 - raised its season record to 20-4 and improved to 10-1 in the NCMC. The Hornets close out the regular season at home against NCMC rival Mexico at 6 tonight at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.
"This is a very special group of guys and they deserve everything they have earned this year," Fulton head coach Justin Gilmore said. "They come in every day, work hard and never give excuses. I am so proud of everything these young men have achieved, but they couldn't have done it without each other.
"They are the true definition of what a team is - we celebrated this team victory and team championship, but they understand they have more work to do."
The Hornets protected a slim 13-11 edge after one quarter Wednesday night, but outscored Moberly 17-9 in the second quarter to push their lead to 30-20 at the break. Fulton carried a 42-31 advantage into the fourth quarter and nailed down the NCMC title by outscoring the Spartans 23-12 over the last 8 minutes.
Vaughn - who also handed out seven assists - directed three players in double figures for the Hornets, who were playing without senior guard Makygh Galbreath because of an illness. Senior forward LeCheyon Williams logged 17 points, while junior guard AJ Reid supplied 12 points and 10 assists.
Fulton recorded 22 assists on 27 made shots, while scoring 20 points off Moberly's 18 turnovers. The Hornets turned the ball over just 10 times.
"I thought we came out and played a complete team game," Gilmore said. "I thought we took care of the ball and shared it well all night and I thought we did a good job at making things difficult for Moberly."
Braedan Wetrich answered with 16 points to lead the Spartans, who also bowed to the Hornets 68-61 on Jan. 26 in Fulton.
The Hornets will seek to complete a season sweep of Mexico tonight. Fulton escaped by edging the Bulldogs 47-46 on Dec. 19 in Mexico.