Franklinton’s Trey Anders and Logan Seal scored 20 points each in a 66-44 victory over Pearl River on the road Friday.

Seal also had five steals, while Anders finished with four.

Franklinton (6-12, 1-1), who lost their center Lester Crosby earlier this season with an injury, withstood a furious Pearl River run.

Anders said this was a big win for the Demons.

“We lost one of our key players (Crosby). We have to keep going just like we have him,” Anders said.

The Demons led the Rebels (5-13, 0-2) 29-12 with 3:39 left in the second quarter, but Pearl River chipped away at the lead.

Dominick Veal, who posted 19 points, hit a 3-pointer before Kahlil Burt knocked down a pair of free throws. He finished with seven.

Rebels’ coach Major Gorgone said Veal is the heart-and-soul of his team.

“Offensively, we look for him,” Gorgone said. “On nights like this where he can apply defensive pressure for us, he can be a defensive leader as well. I couldn’t ask for more from him.”

Franklinton’s Dejion Alston, who had 10 points and 12 boards, was good for two.

PRHS’ Chase Fals hit a field goal with 24 seconds left to make it 31-21 at halftime.

The Rebels continued to trim the deficit in the second. Burt drove in for two, but the Demons’ Martavious James knocked down a trey.

Pearl River’s Tyler Kelly was successful on two free throws. Seal split from the line and then Pearl River’s Malik Victor found Ladarius Wilford for two, and it was 35-29 with 4:45 remaining. Kelly tallied eight with Wilford at six.

But that was the closest Pearl River got, as Franklinton closed the period on a 7-0 run. Anders hit from the baseline and then for three before Alston finished things with a layup.

Demons’ coach Randall Ginn said the second quarter has hurt them all year.

“I don’t know if we’re getting tired. I don’t know what it might be, but I know we had 21 in the first and 10 in the second,” Ginn said. “The past couple second quarters, we’ve scored like six and eight, so I’ve got to look and see what I can do differently with rotations in the second quarter.”

“They did a great job of tightening the game up. Then they cut it to six early in the third quarter and then I think we did a good job with our pressure defense and our effort. Some of the backups made a key run to start the fourth quarter to help us out,” Ginn added.

Franklinton opened the game up in the fourth with a 12-4 run over the first 2:59. It was 56-33 at that point and Franklinton went on for the 22-point win.

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Franklinton’s junior varsity team also got a win Friday, beating Pearl River, 34-22. LaQuincy Stewart with nine points, Ryche Jenkins with seven and Jay Magee with six.