HERRIN — Postponements due to winter weather have led to some interesting scheduling situations, such as Benton and Herrin playing each other home and home on consecutive nights.

The Rangers took the opener Thursday night 47-37 on the Tigers’ home floor. Benton led 27-16 at the half, but Herrin mounted a rally behind sophomore Haydon Mayer. Mayer scored 10 of his team high 18 points in the third quarter, helping pull the Tigers within four.

Reece Johnson hit a pullup jumper in the final minute of the third to extend Benton’s lead to 37-31 heading to the fourth. Jacob Seidel then scored twice off offensive rebounds to open the final frame, extending the Rangers’ advantage back to double figures.

With Herrin trying to turn up the pressure defensively, Johnson sealed it with back to back jumpers. He led all scorers with 19 points.

With the win, Benton (5-3, 4-1) pulled within a half game of first place Massac County, while Herrin (4-3, 3-2) fell a game and a half back.

The two teams will play again in Benton Friday night.