GOREVILLE — The opening game of the Goreville Invitational Tournament needed overtime to decide a winner, as Benton got by Hamilton County 43-38.
The Rangers overcame a slow start to build an 18-8 lead at the half.
The Foxes cut that deficit in half after three. Evan Shelton’s buzzer-beating three-pointer cut it to 27-22 heading to the fourth.
The Rangers extended the lead back to nine on back to back buckets from Brad Hammond. Hammond finished with 16.
Again the Foxes rallied as Brady Thrane hit a three and then a pull up jumper to tie the game at 36 and force overtime.
After the Foxes grabbed the lead quickly in OT…the Rangers followed with five straight, and that turned out to be the difference.
The two teams will resume play in the tournament Tuesday. Hamilton County will meet Anna-Jonesboro at 5:30 followed by Benton and Johnston City at 7:00. Goreville and Hardin County will close the night at 8:30.