One statistic in particular pleased coach Andrew Lacey in the Pinecrest boy’s 60-57 victory over Hillside High School Tuesday evening.

“We had 23 baskets and 17 assists,” he said after the long trip back from Durham. “It means we’re unselfish and looking for the open man. That speaks wonders for your team.”

Justin Ray had seven of the assists, and Adam Cummings and Traivon Williams each scored 16 points for the Patriots in a game that the two teams were never more than six points apart. Williams also grabbed 14 rebounds.

Lacey’s squad will take a 3-6 record into Monday’s game at Southern Lee. The Hornets dropped to 2-3.

The Patriots trailed 31-28 at halftime before drawing even at 44-44 going into the fourth quarter. They went up by five and then held off the Hornets with some clutch work at the free throw line. Cummings was six-for-eight and scored eight points in the period, while Williams was four-for-four at the line.

The statistics told the story in this one. The Patriots held a 30-18 edge on the boards and made 54 percent of their shots from the field.

“It was one and done,” Lacey said of the team’s job on the defensive board. “When we shoot 30 percent we lose, when we shoot 50-plus, we win.”

Other contributors for the Pats included Greg Barnes with eight points and Kardashian Ragin with three steals.