SOUTHERN PINES — It was a carbon copy of Friday’s battle with Lumberton.

Even though it wasn’t pretty, but in the end all that matters is the result on the scoreboard.

When the final horn sounded Richmond Senior survived to claim a 49-47 victory over Pinecrest and clinched the No. 2 seed in next week’s Southeastern Conference tournament.

“It was very similar game to Lumberton,” David Laton said. “We didn’t rebound very well in the first half. We did a better job rebounding in the second half.”

The Patriots (13-7, 5-4) led 29-18 at halftime.

Shydamion Ellerbe and Jordan Richardson led the second-half charge for the Raiders (17-5, 7-2). Ellerbe recorded another double-double on the season with 20 points and 17 rebounds, while Richardson chipped in with 10 points. Ellerbe scored 12 of his points after the half, while Richardson netted eight in the final 16 minutes.

“I’m pleased because we played like we are capable of playing in the second half,” Laton said. “I thought Greg Patterson and Raheem Bowden came off the bench and gave us a spark.

“I thought our defense really picked up the second half and created some turnovers. We were getting killed on the boards and we were awful at the free-throw line. I think we were something like 9 for 21.”

The victory gives Richmond a first-round bye in the Southeastern Conference tournament and a home game against the winner of the Pinecrest-Purnell Swett contest.

Richmond will return to the hardwood 7:30 p.m. today when it plays host to Flora Macdonald on Senior Night.

In other action, Hoke County cruised past Purnell Swett 96-54. The Bucks will shoot for an undefeated SEC season when the Patriots visit Friday. Lumberton inched closer to claiming the No. 4 seed outright after defeating Scotland. The Pirates finish the season against the Rams, while the Fighting Scots will welcome the Raiders to Laurinburg.

— Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 14, or by email at sstinson@civitasmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.