The Fulton Lady Hornets were outscored 21-9 in the fourth quarter by the Monroe City Lady Panthers in dropping their season opener 43-34 on Friday night at Roger D. Davis Gymnasium.
Fulton jumped out to 10-4 lead after one quarter and was in front 16-13 at halftime. The Lady Hornets carried a 25-22 edge into the fourth quarter, before Monroe City took control over the final 8 minutes.
Freshman guard Kier Henderson topped Fulton with 12 points. Senior forward Sydney Hedgpath added eight points and senior guard Kayanna Gaines contributed seven.
"We were a little shorthanded, depth-wise, so we lost our legs (in the fourth quarter)," first-year Lady Hornets head coach Matt Wilbers said. "We also didn't make good decisions down the stretch."
Haley Hagan guided Monroe City with 12 points.
Fulton bowed in the junior varsity game 55-30.
The Lady Hornets play at Blair Oaks at 6 p.m. Monday.
"I'm excited for the direction of the season," Wilbers said. "The girls played their hearts out tonight."
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Ryan Boland can be reached at (573) 826-2422, or on Twitter @FultonSunSports.