DU QUOIN — Senior Reece Johnson scored a game high 21 points and was a disruptive force on defense to help lead Benton to a 53-42 win over Du Quoin in the season opener for both teams.

Each team put together significant runs throughout the night. The Rangers used a 13-4 spurt in the second quarter to build a 31-18 lead at the half.

The Indians rallied, opening the third quarter with eight straight points. 6’8″ junior Maurice Washington was the catalyst in the quarter as he scored or assisted on ten of Du Quoin’s 14 points.

The Indians cut the deficit to one early in the fourth quarter, but could never tie or take the lead. The Rangers responded by scoring 12 of the game’s final 14 points to secure the win.

Benton will be back on the road Saturday, as the Rangers will visit Fairfield in a rematch of last year’s Carmi-White County 2A Regional championship game. Du Quoin will also hit the road Saturday to take on Murphysboro.