The Dillon Christian School Warriors came out fighting on Friday night as they defeated the Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles 72-58 in Mullins.

The Warriors took a commanding lead in the first half, outscoring Pee Dee 16-6 and 14-8 to lead 30-14, despite having only six players dressed for the game. Two minutes into the third, Neil Melvin and Tyler Davis had picked up four fouls apiece, so the Warriors had to retreat to a zone. Pee Dee took the opportunity to get back in the game, outscoring DCS 23-18 in the third and closing the gap to within eight points several times, though Kin and Neil Melvin stepped in each time to with a big basket to protect the lead. The Warriors would add 24 points in the fourth to Pee Dee’s 21 to earn the 72-58 victory.

Neil Melvin led the Warriors with a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds, and Kin Melvin followed with 17 points and a game-high 10 assists. Tyler Davis added 13 points with seven rebounds and seven blocks. Will Brown earned 10 points with three assists, Jeremiah Cribb added 12 points, and Landry Collins made two assists.

As a team, the Warriors were able to shoot 25 for 41 from the field and four of seven three-pointers for a 60 percent average from the floor. The Warriors also had a total of 10 blocks and 19 assists on 29 baskets.

Tyler Page led Pee Dee Academy with a game-high 27 points with Keith Brown adding 15. Gib Fenters scored six, Dalton Rowe scored four, and Korey Thomas added three.

The Warriors improve to 5-10 overall with a 4-3 record in SCISA Region 4-AA. Pee Dee Academy is now 2-9 with a 1-6 record in the region.

Tonight, the Warriors host The King’s Academy and on Friday, January 20, Dillon Christian will host The Byrnes Schools. Junior varsity action begins at 4:00 p.m. with varsity basketball beginning at 6 p.m.