High school boys' basketball: Hannibal sinks 3 as time expires, stuns Hornets in 61-59 NCMC loss

The Fulton Hornets were bit by a buzzer-beating bomb this time around.

Hannibal buried a 3-pointer as time ran out in handing Fulton a 61-59 North Central Missouri Conference loss Friday night at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.

The Hornets - who won at Hannibal 56-44 on Dec. 10 - slipped to 12-10 overall and 4-4 in the NCMC. Fulton was coming off a 67-64 overtime victory at home over Boonville last Monday night when senior forward John Adams hit a 3 as time expired.

The Hornets owned a 21-17 edge over Hannibal after one quarter Friday night and outscored the Pirates 11-7 in the second quarter to stretch their lead to 32-24 at halftime.

Hannibal countered by outscoring Fulton 23-13 in the third quarter to go in front 47-45.

Adams made two free throws with 30 seconds left in the game to give the Hornets a one-point lead. Fulton, though, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with :04.8 to go.

The Pirates pushed the ball downcourt and knocked down the 3 at the buzzer to jolt the Hornets.

Senior forward Tyler Sayler logged 16 points to guide three players in double figures for Fulton. Adams was next with 15 points and freshman guard Courtland Simmons supplied 12.

"We let one slip away from us in the second half," Hornets head coach Justin Gilmore said. "We held the lead for all of the first half and much of the third quarter, but it wasn't enough down the stretch.

"We really struggled in the second and third quarters to find quality shots and quality possessions."

Tristan Terrill delivered a game-high 20 points to pace three players in double figures for Hannibal. Courtland Watson added 15 points and Adrian Brumbaugh chipped in with 13.

"It was a small letdown being how well our guys have played lately," Gilmore said. "But Hannibal is a good team and hit some big shots when they needed them."

Fulton dropped the junior varsity contest 46-40 in overtime. Freshman guard Donovan Weigle logged 12 points.

The Hornets travel to Moberly for an NCMC matchup at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Fulton triumphed at home over the Spartans 55-45 on Jan. 31.