Sixth-seeded Richmond Senior held off a late rally by the third-seeded Pinecrest boys in one of Tuesday's Mid-Southeastern Conference Basketball Tournament first round games.

The Patriots closed a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to one with 12.9 seconds remaining in the game played at Scotland County. After the Raiders' Derrick Wiley made 1-for-2 at the foul line at the 10.8 second mark, a potential game-winning three attempted by the Pats' Jahrelle Person was too long.

The Patriots were unable to grab the rebound to get a off second shot as time ran out on the 60-58 loss. Now 18-7 after their fifth loss in the last seven games, they have almost a week to await next Tuesday's 4-A state playoff opener on the court of the second seeded team from the Two Rivers Conference.

Following the painful pattern of the past three weeks, Pinecrest fell behind by as many as 12 points in the first half against the seemingly more energetic and confident Raiders. But Blake Smith, with six first half assists, and Carlton Rhone with nine points, sparked a surge that closed the gap to 36-33 at halftime.

The Raiders built their advantage back to 51-41, going into the final period. Person helped spark the Patriot comeback with five fourth quarter points and an assist on the basket by Dee McRae that made it a one-point game at 59-58.

Jarrin Wooten and Rhone each scored 11 points to lead Pinecrest. Wooten also grabbed 11 boards. Smith finished with 10 points and seven assists. Derrick Wiley led the winners, now 11-14, with 17 points