BENTON -- Clay Anderson's two free throws, steal and assist to Jake Scoggins midway through the fourth quarter gave the Benton Panthers all the cushion they needed to defeat rival Bryant 54-48 in the 2015 Saline County Shootout on Tuesday.
Anderson led the Panthers (9-4) with 17 points, while Cason Maertens added 13.
"It's unique in that this is our 13th game of the season and it's only our second home game," Benton Coach Dexter Hendrix said. "Our guys are so young that I don't think they understand how important to play at home was going to be."
Kevin Hunt led Bryant (6-7) with 13 points. Romen Martin added 10 points.
Benton jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a basket by Scoggins and a three-pointer by Anderson, but Bryant (6-7) battled back when Lowell Washington completed a traditional three-point play and Kevin Hunt converted a drive through the lane.
Bryant took an early lead when Martin made a three-pointer, but Benton scored on a layup from Anderson, a three-pointer from Westin Riddick and two free throws by Maertens to go up 18-15 by the end of the quarter.
Both teams battled back and forth in the second quarter with Bryant getting as close as two on a basket by Wesley Peters to make it 23-21, but Benton scored the next seven points with Braden Warhurst hitting a three-pointer with 2:11 left before halftime.
Bryant cut Benton's lead to 32-29 by halftime, but the Panthers hit five of their first six shots to start the third quarter and take a 44-36 lead.
Benton led 44-38 after three quarters but a basket off an offensive rebound by Antavious Lewis and a three-pointer from Hunt pulled the Hornets to within 44-43 with 6:25 to play.
Anderson scored on a short jumper, then stole the ball at midcourt and passed to Scoggins for a layup. After two consecutive Bryant turnovers, Anderson added two free throws for a 50-43 advantage.
BRYANT (48)
Hunt 5 1-1 13, Martin 3 2-2 10, Washington 4 1-1 9, Allen 3 0-1 6, Lewis 2 1-4 5, Peters 2 1-2 5. Totals 19 6-11 48.
BENTON (54)
Anderson 5 4-5 17, Maertens 2 8-10 13, Warhurst 4 0-0 9, Scoggins 3 0-0 6, Marshall 1 2-2 4, Riddick 1 0-0 3, Hollis 1 0-2 2. Totals 17 14-19 54.
Bryant (6-7);15;14;9;10 -- 48
Benton (9-4);18;14;12;10 -- 54
Three-point goals -- Bryant 3 (Hunt 2, Martin), Benton 6 (Anderson 3, Maertens, Riddick, Warhurst). Team fouls -- Bryant 20, Benton 17. Fouled out -- Washington, Warhurst.
Sports on 01/07/2015