Jaquan Grissett scored a game-high 29 points, including a 14-for-18 performance from the free throw line, to lift North Myrtle Beach to a 55-42 victory over rival Loris on Friday night.
The game was nip-and-tuck for more than three quarters, with the Chiefs (2-0) holding a 13-11 lead after the first period, a 27-25 edge at the half, and a 41-37 advantage entering the final frame.
That’s when the Chiefs turned in some lock-down defense, limiting the Lions (1-1) to five points in the fourth quarter. North Myrtle Beach didn’t fare much better from the field, but Grissett put the game out of reach by hitting his free throws down the stretch.
Forrest Vereen came off the bench to score six points and seven rebounds, the same number grabbed by Grissett. Matt Lindsay pulled down a game-high eight rebounds while scoring four points.
Devante Claridy led the Lions with 11 points and Kentrez Hilton added 10.
The Chiefs play their third straight road game to open the season at Carolina Forest on Tuesday night.
