NORRIS CITY — Fairfield boys basketball coach Scott McElravy marvels at senior Landon Zurliene’s ability to make plays in crunch time. Earlier this season, Zurliene hit a shot in the closing seconds to the give the Mules a win at Salem.

Wednesday night, he did it again. This time, the NCOE Fighting Cardinals were the victims.

Zurliene’s buzzer beater gave the Mules a 59-57 win over NCOE in overtime, in a matchup of unbeaten teams coming in. He finished with 20 points on the night, helping the Mules improve to 12-0.

“I just let it rip,” said Zurliene. “I have faith every shots going in, but at the end of the game, I love those situations. I want to be the guy to take the shot, and my teammates trust me to make it.”

Zurliene and NCOE’s Joe Melton are not only two of the area’s best players, they are good friends and AAU teammates. Melton and Ty Money led NCOE with 20 points apiece. Brandon Lane scored 12, and Noah McElravy added 11 for the Mules.

Fairfield will host Hamilton County Friday before paying a visit to Mt. Carmel Saturday. NCOE will welcome Galatia Friday before opening the GEC Tournament next week.