Russell Conway/Student Correspondent
Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

HERRIN — It was Pink Out and Senior Night at Herrin as the Tigers took on Benton. The teams started the night tied for second place behind Murphysboro in the SIRR Ohio standings, so fans were expecting a close matchup, and that’s what they saw.

Both offenses got off to slow starts, but Herrin managed to take a 9-4 lead at the end of one quarter.

The Tigers would come out firing in the second. Kyrese Lukens hit a three-point basket and a fastbreak layup to open the quarter. Herrin would open up an 11-point lead with 1:00 left in the half. Landon Croslin’s putback layup for Benton pulled the Rangers within single digits before the half. Herrin went into the half leading 21-12.

To start off the second half Herrin’s Johnathan Harrison stuffed Aiden Peach of Benton. Peach got a block of his own a couple of possessions later. Croslin started a Rangers’ rally with a three-point basket, but Harrison came back with a putback layup as the Tigers would go into the fourth quarter leading 28-22.

The story of the fourth quarter was free throws. The teams combined to shoot six free throws in the first two minutes of the quarter. That would make the Tigers lead 32-26 with 6:00 minutes left in the game. Herrin ended up shooting 18 free throws in the final quarter.

Haydon Mayer and Kyrese Lukens led the Tigers’ attack. Mayer had 18 points and 11 rebounds on the night, and Lukens added 10 points and three steals. Reid Baumgarte led Benton with 16 points, including all 12 of the Rangers’ points in the fourth quarter. Croslin added 13 points and 4 rebounds to help keep the Rangers close.

The Rangers hope to get back on track after their record dropped to 13-10. Benton will play the Carterville Lions Saturday night at 7:00 PM in the Rich Herrin Gymnasium.

The Tigers improve to 15-5 and will host Gateway Legacy Christian Saturday afternoon.