ATLANTA, Ga. (Men's Basketball) – The Paine College men's basketball team traded shots with Clark Atlanta University throughout the game but in the end, the Lions were the victors, 125-120. Clark Atlanta stayed in the game with their run and gun offense that seemed to stump Paine's defense.

The Lions were able to stay afloat most of the game with the scoring ability of Denzel Dillingham and Alfonso Davis. Dillingham and Davis combined for 25 points of the 56 that Paine scored in the first half. The Lions had their largest lead of the game, 16 points, with 1:47 left in the first half. Paine went into the locker room at halftime leading the Panthers by 10 points, 56-46.

The Panther came out to play in the second half and were able to start their offense with Derek Harper driving to the basket. The Lions answered back with prolific paint play from Arnis Libazs. Libazs scored 12 points in the second half. Clark Atlanta's Najee Whitehead nailed a three pointer before the buzzer to take the game into overtime, 99-99.

In overtime, fouls and free throws were the new game plan for both teams.  Dillingham, Libazs, and Patrick Petty fouled out for the Lions. Harper, Joseph Hughes, Allan Dempster, and Damien Enoch fouled out for the Panthers. For Paine, Davis seemed to be sure fire at the free throw line as he went 9 of 12. Clark Atlanta had free throw shooters of their own in Earl Lawrence and Johnell Young, who combined for 9 of 12 from the line. The Lions had the last word and the game when Don Quarles, Jr. made a monster dunk to end overtime, 125-120.

Paine ended the game with seven players having double digit point totals. Davis was the leading scorer for the Lions with 28 points. Dillingham followed him with 23 points. Quarles was the leading rebounder for Paine with nine. Libazs, Arnold Okechukwu, and Takija Knight followed him with six boards each. Quarles and Nathan Powell each finished the game with five assists. Powell also led the team in steals with three. Knight and Okechukwu accounted for two blocks.

As a team, the Lions finished the night with 45 rebounds, 23 assists, eight steals, and five blocks. Paine's bench produced 52 points while the team scored 30 points in the paint.  The team was 53.5 percent from the field, 45 percent from the arc, and 72.7 percent from the free throw line.

There were five Panther in the double digits once the game was over. Clark Atlanta was led by Harper with 27 points. Harper was followed by three teammates in points as Enoch, Whitehead, and Earl Lawrence each contributed 18 points. Enoch was the leading rebounder and blocker for the
Panthers with nine boards and two blocks. Lawrence followed him with eight boards and he also led the team in assists with six. Lawrence and Kenneth Green each accounted for three steals on the night.

Clark Atlanta finished the game with 44 rebounds, 18 assists, eight steals, and four blocks. The Panthers bench scored 66 points. The team scored 28 points in the paint and 24 points off turnovers. The team was 52.5 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from the arc, and 58.3 percent from the free throw line.

With the victory, Paine continue their reign atop the conference with a 10-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record and 14-3 overall record. The Panther drop to 3-13 overall and 2-7 in conference play.

The Lions return to action on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. against Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga.

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