Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
MCLEANSBORO — The Fairfield Mules remained unbeaten and alone atop the Black Diamond East with a hard-fought 49-40 win at Hamilton County.
Layne Tucker scored 10 of his game high 15 points in the third quarter as the Mules took control outscoring the Foxes 15-6 in the quarter after being tied 19-19 at the half.
Jake Easton added 12 for Fairfield who improves to 17-10 (7-0). The Mules lead Carmi-White County by a half game in the conference race. Those two teams will close the regular season in Fairfield next Friday. That game was originally scheduled for Thursday (2/15), but when neither team had to play in the regional quarterfinals on Saturday (2/17), the game was moved to Friday.
Fairfield has conference games at home Friday against Edwards County and at Flora Tuesday sandwiched around a non-conference game Saturday with Chester prior to the showdown with the Bulldogs.
Abe Neal led Hamilton County with eight points. The Foxes fall to 16-12 (3-6). They will host Carmi-White County Friday night before closing the regular season with a pair of non-conference games against Benton and Massac County next week.
