Benson boys top Saints, 67-22, for 2-0 start

The Benson boys basketball team improved to 2-0 for the season with a 67-22 rout of KMS last Tuesday night in Kerkhoven.  The Braves, who opened up the season with a 53-43 win over Lac qui Parle, led 42-11 by halftime and cruised to the road win.
Benson was set to play at Minnewaska Area, Tuesday, Dec. 3; at Eden Valley-Watkins, Thursday, Dec. 5; and at Morris Area-CA, Friday, Dec. 6.
The Braves are set to return to the Benson gym for the Benson Boys Basketball Invitational, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 20-21 with MACCRAY, Breckenridge and Paynesville also set to take part
Benson 67, KMS 22
The Braves led 42-11 by halftime and then outscored the Saints 25-11 in the second half on the way to the 67-22 non-conference victory last Tuesday night in Kerkhoven.
Benson used a couple of fastbreak baskets to go up early 10-2, but KMS kept things close, pulling to within 19-7 on a 3-pointer by James Faulkner with 10:28 left in the first half.
However, following a timeout, the Braves came roaring out of the break on a 6-0 run to increase its lead to 25-7 before Taylor Feldman broke the streak with a free-throw.
Benson scored six-straight points again to up its lead to 31-8 before Preston Mahlum made 2-of-2 free-throws with just under five minutes left, but Benson would outscore the Saints 10-1 to end the half and go into intermission sporting a 42-11 lead.
The second half was much the same as the Saints couldn’t break Benson’s tough halfcourt press, and the Braves were left with numerous easy fastbreak baskets off steals.
Photo: Benson senior Alex Forsberg goes in for a floating layup during a victory over KMS as James Faulkner (23), Taylor Feldman (21), and Vincent Tillman (5) play defense.