Rangerettes knock off Harrisburg 58-46 in key Ohio Division match up

By Jim Muir

The Benton Rangerettes picked up a key Southern Illinois River to River Ohio Division victory last night defeating Harrisburg 58-46.

The Rangerettes, leading only 20-18 at halftime, opened the third quarter with a stifling three-quarter court press and forced five consecutive turnovers that they converted to eight quick points to build a 10 point lead.

“We ended the second quarter kind of struggling offensively and decided to throw the press at them and see if we could generate some offense from our defense,” said Benton coach Andy Sloan. “Harrisburg has good guards so I was surprised that our press hurt them like it did. It was the turning point in the game.”

Benton, playing perhaps its best overall game of the season, jumped out to a quick 12-7 first quarter lead behind five points from Cali Carney. Harrisburg received a big lift off its bench in the first half as Kelsey Hobbs and Devan Jones combined for 10 of the Lady Bulldogs 18 first half points. Hobbs hit a pair of three-pointers in the second quarter when Harrisburg outscored the Rangerettes 11-8 to claw back to within two – 20-18 – at the halftime intermission.

During a frantic two minute stretch to begin the third quarter Benton got four points from Morgan Corn, four from Sami Minor and two from Evelyn Mendez to put the game out of reach. After scoring 20 points in the first half Benton outscored Harrisburg 25-10 in the decisive third frame to take a 45-28 lead.

Harrisburg, on some key outside shooting by Lindsey Murray and Ashley Ferrell, cut the margin to 10 points at the midway point of the fourth quarter but the Rangerettes hit some clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the win and improve to 9-4 overall. The victory also pulls the Rangerettes even with Harrisburg in the tough Ohio Division of the SIRR where it has turned into a four-team battle. Benton and Harrisburg both are 3-2 in conference play and every team including front runners Herrin and Massac County all have at least one loss. Benton still has games at home against Massac County and Herrin. Last night’s loss drops Harrisburg to 11-3 overall.

Benton was led in scoring by Cali Carney, who turned in her best overall performance of the season narrowly missing a triple-double. Carney tallied 16 points, 16 rebounds and eight steals in the victory and was followed closely by Morgan Corn who had 13 points to go with 9 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for Benton was Evelyn Mendez with 10 points. Minor turned in a steady game and scored nine points, followed by Mikala Carney with six and Marcela Mendez and Katie Sandusky with two points each.

The Rangerettes are idle until they host the annual Rangerettes Christmas Classic that will be held on Dec. 27, 28 and 29. The round robin affair will feature unbeaten Goreville along with Hamilton County, Trico, Carterville and Anna-Jonesboro.

Pairing for the Rangerettes Christmas Classic are:

Dec. 27

Session 1

11:00 a.m. – Benton vs. AJ

12:30 p.m. – Hamilton County vs. Trico

2 :00 p.m. – Carterville vs. Goreville

Session 2

5:30 p.m. – Trico vs. AJ

7:00 p.m. – Goreville vs. Hamilton County

8:30 p.m. – Benton vs. Carterville

Dec. 28

Session 1

11:00 a.m. – Goreville vs. AJ

12:30 p.m. – Benton vs. Trico

2:00 p.m. – Carterville vs. Hamilton County

Session 2

5:30 p.m. – Trico vs. Goreville

7:00 p.m. – AJ vs. Carterville

8:30 p.m. – Benton vs. Hamilton County

Dec. 29

4:00 p.m. – Carterville vs. Trico

5:30 p.m. – Hamilton County vs. AJ

7:00 p.m. – Benton vs. Goreville