CALIFORNIA - The No. 5 seed Hornets didn't have a defensive solution as Rece Gilmore erupted for a game-high 39 points to carry the No. 1 Eagles in Thursday night's victory in the semifinals of the 86th-annual California Tournament.
"Rece just didn't miss - he was hitting everything," Fulton head coach Justin Gilmore said. "Whether we had a hand in his face or he was getting to the rim, he was doing a little bit of everything."
After being dominated at home by Southern Boone 63-44 on Jan. 8, the Hornets played the Eagles much tighter Thursday night. Fulton trailed 20-16 after one quarter, 34-30 at halftime and 53-48 going into the fourth quarter, but could not chase down Southern Boone.
"The guys were fired up and ready to play, and battled with them," Justin Gilmore said. "Southern Boone is one of the better teams we've faced all year.
"This was kind of a testament to who our guys are - they were ready for the challenge."
Senior forward Tyler Sayler led the Hornets with 18 points. Senior forward John Adams and junior guard Cameron Bennett contributed 11 points apiece.
Fulton is scheduled to play either No. 3 seed Centralia or No. 7 California for third place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.