CABOT — A big push to start the fourth quarter sent Benton on its way to a 61-51 victory over Cabot on Saturday at the Cabot Pre-Holiday Tournament.

Benton (6-0) used a 10-0 run in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter to turn a 40-35 lead into a 50-35 lead. Cabot ( 2-4) outscored Benton 16-11 the rest of the way, but it couldn’t overcome the deficit.

“We played hard and got better this week, but those Benton guys are bigger, stronger and faster than we are,” Cabot Coach Jerry Bridges said. “That’s a good team.”

A 12-2 run in the second quarter gave Benton a 29-18 lead. Junior Blake Bowlin scored eight of those points but didn’t score again as seniors Graham Gardner and Rickey Gipson carried theload down the stretch.

“Benton did a good job not allowing us to dictate the pace,” Bridges said. “We have to be able to play our way, and they didn’t let that happen.”

Gardner finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. Allen led Benton with 14 points, and Bryan Torres added 10.

Gardner altered the shot of virtually every Cabot player who drive into the lane.

“He’s good and he’s 6-9, while our biggest guy is 6-3,”Bridges said. “What can you do down there?”

Cabot committed 14 turnovers compared to five for Benton in the second and fourth quarters.

Sports, Pages 27 on 12/09/2012