MURPHYSBORO — Kyrese Lukens scored eight of his game high 14 points during a critical third quarter surge to lead the Herrin Tigers past Murphysboro 35-32 in a first place showdown in the SIRR Ohio.
The Tigers outscored the Red Devils 17-7 to turn a 20-13 halftime deficit into a 30-27 lead after three quarters. Murphysboro scored the first five points of the fourth quarter, but Herrin scored the game’s final five points to secure the win.
Kaden Shields led Murphysboro with 10 points. Karmelo Abernathy reached 1000 career points in the loss.
Herrin improves to 19-6, 4-2 in the Ohio, a half game up on Carterville. Murphysboro falls to 17-7, 3-3 and a game behind Herrin in the conference.
Before the varsity game, Murphysboro honored head coach Daryl Murphy for recently winning his 600th career game.