GOREVILLE — The Hamilton County Foxes were oh so close to wrapping up the Goreville Invitational Tournament championship Friday night, but Benton senior Landon Bolen’s driving layup with 3.7 seconds left gave the Rangers a 49-48 win to keep Benton unbeaten in the tournament.

Neither team led by more than six points all night. After trailing 30-24 in the third quarter, Benton outscored Hamilton County 22-11 over the remainder of the third and the start of the fourth quarter to take a 46-41 lead with 3:38 to play.

Then it was the Foxes’ turn to rally, scoring seven of the next eight points, taking the lead on Grady Lueke’s two free throws with 2:15 to play.

The Rangers wound up running their offense for nearly two minutes before head coach Ron Winemiller called timeout with :20 to set up a final play. Bolen found a lane to the basket and scored putting the Rangers on top. Brady Thrane’s halfcourt heave at the buzzer was off the mark setting off a Benton celebration.

Keegan Glover led a balanced Rangers’ attack with 12 points. Sophomore Luke Melvin added 11 including a pair of huge three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Bolen and Reid Baumgarte each tallied 10. Hamilton County’s Jaden York led all scorers with 13. Wyatt Hamson had 11.

So here’s the scenario heading into the final day at the GIT–Benton will clinch the championship with a win over the host Blackcats in the final game at 7:00. If Goreville wins, and Hamilton County beats Hardin County in the 5:30 game, the Blackcats, Rangers and Foxes would all finish 4-1 in the tourney, with the champion to be determined by team free throw percentage.

The tournament’s final session will tip off with Anna-Jonesboro taking on Johnston City at 4:00.