POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Now that’s starting on a good note.

Junior Anthony Perry hit two free throws with three seconds left in regulation, allowing the Point Pleasant boys basketball to claim a 52-51 victory over visiting Ritchie County in its season opening non-conference contest Thursday night in Mason County.

The Big Blacks (1-0) — who had their season opener pushed back a week because of football — came out firing on all cylinders, as the hosts stormed out to a 12-3 advantage midway through the first quarter. The Rebels (1-2), however, countered with an 8-3 surge of the final four minutes to pull within 15-11 after one quarter of play.

Both teams traded 11 points in the second stanza for a 26-22 contest at the intermission, then Point answered with a small 17-15 spurt in the third canto for a 43-37 lead headed into the finale.

Ritchie County opened the fourth with eight straight points to claim a 45-43 edge with 5:05 left, then the guests recaptured the lead after ties at 45, 47 and 49. With RCHS leading 51-49, Point’s Jacob Wamsley was fouled with 16 seconds left — and the senior sank 1-of-2 free throws to pull the hosts to within 51-50.

The Rebels committed a turnover on their ensuing possession, and Perry was fouled on Point’s game-winning play with just three ticks left in regulation. Perry sank both charity tosses, and ultimately sealed the deal on the outcome.

Dillon McCarty led the Big Blacks with 15 points, followed by Wamsley with 14 points and Alex Somerville with eight markers. Wade Martin added six points and Marquez Griffin chipped in five markers, while Perry rounded out the scoring with four points. PPHS was 10-of-18 at the free throw line for 56 percent.

Ryder Bolin paced RCHS with a game-high 17 points, followed by Paige Haught with eight and D.J. Burgess with seven markers. The Rebels were 7-of-11 at the charity stripe for 64 percent.

Point Pleasant was at Scott Friday night and returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Roane County at 6 p.m.

Point Pleasant 52, Ritchie County 51

RC 11-11-15-14 — 51

PP 15-11-17-9 — 52

RITCHIE COUNTY (1-2): Paige Haught 2 4-6 8, Ryder Bolin 8 0-0 17, D.J. Burgess 3 0-1 7, Justin Sage 2 2-2 6, Nathan Shipe 2 0-0 4, Adam Cranin 2 0-0 4, Reno Jackson 2 1-2 5, Jessie Hilvers 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 21 7-11 51. Three-point goals: 2 (Bolin, Burgess).

POINT PLEASANT (1-0): Dillon McCarty 5 3-4 15, Jacob Wamsley 5 4-6 14, Garrett Norris 0 0-0 0, Marquez Griffin 2 1-2 5, Andrew Williamson 0 0-0 0, Anthony Perry 1 2-4 4, Aden Yates 0 0-0 0, Wade Martin 3 0-2 6, Alex Somerville 3 0-0 8, Conner Templeton 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 19 10-18 52. Three-point goals: 4 (McCarty 2, Somerville 2).