Benton Rangers (Benton, IL) backers were in high spirits Friday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the visiting Murphysboro Red Devils (Murphysboro, IL), 57-43 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Benton upgrades its record to 14-0 on the season. The Rangers travel to Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville, KY) to play the Panthers in a non-league bout on Thursday, January 4. The Panthers go into the bout with a record of 6-7. Pleasure Ridge Park lost 65-62 in their recent non-league bout against Eastside (Covington, GA)

Next up, the Red Devils play the Harrisburg Bulldogs (Harrisburg, IL) in a Southern Illinois River-to-River - Ohio bout, on Friday, January 5. Murphysboro will attempt to upgrade on its 9-6 season record. The Bulldogs go into the bout with a 10-6 record after their 65-51 non-league win over Pope County (Golconda, IL).