The Pinecrest boys’ basketball team turned a strong start and a fast finish into a 79-66 home victory over Lumberton Wednesday evening.

The Patriots improved to 6-0 in the Southeastern Conference and 18-2 overall after their eighth win in a row. The Pirates fell to 3-4 and 7-11.

Daquain Towns scored 16 points for the Pats, and Julian Brewer and Faronte Drakeford added 14 apiece. Harron Carson added 12 and handed out six assists. Davonte Davis led the visitors with 21 points.

The Patriots allowed only six shots and two field goals while taking a 20-6 lead at the end of one quarter. They led by as many as 19 late in the second period before the Pirates began chipping away.

With seven minutes left in the game, a three by Christian McRae brought the Pirates within five points at 56-51. After a Patriot timeout, Carson fed Towns for what turned into a three-point play. Brewer had two dunks during a 16-6 spree that put the home team safely in command at 72-57.

Earlier, the Lumberton girls (16-2, 7-0) remained undefeated in conference play with a 55-33 victory over Pinecrest. The cold-shooting Patriot (9-10, 2-4) made only seven baskets after trailing 12-11 at the end of one quarter.

The Patriot girls and boys travel to Purnell Swett on Friday. The evening begins with the girls’ contest at 6 p.m.