Triton varsity boys basketball coach T.J. Morrison was looking for a challenge on the road to close out the 2018 calendar year.

“We found it,” Morrison said after host Lumberton overcame an early Hawks lead for a 76-56 nonconference win on Friday night.

Triton (6-5) took an 8-2 lead at the outset, but the advantage was erased as the Pirates responded to draw within 10-9 with 1:07 left in the first quarter. A 9-0 run by the hosts produced an 18-10 lead. Lumberton scored the first eight points of the second quarter.

Morrison used just eight players because some had missed practice.

Derreon Burnett led the Hawks with 16 points an 10 rebounds. Kalil Hodges had 15 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Colby Parker and Emari White had seven points each. Dalen Thompson scored five points, Tilghman Pope tallied four and Travion Sanders added two.

Lumberton (8-2) was led by Jordan McNeill with 27 points.

“They hit the offensive boards and got easy baskets,” Morrison said.

Triton continues nonconference play at Green Hope on Thursday night.