AUGUSTA, Ga. (Men's basketball)—The Paine College men's basketball team faced off against cross town rival, Augusta University, in the Christenberry Fieldhouse on Saturday night in search of their first victory. The Lions fought valiantly but were defeated in another rousing overtime game, 117-108.

This is the second overtime game of the season for the Lions and is the team's fourth loss. With the win, the Jaguars move to 1-1.

In the first half of the game, Paine was able to trade baskets with Augusta University and limit their mistakes. Denzel Dillingham had the hot hand in the first half as he outscored both team with 22 points. He scored the Lions final points of the half when he kissed the ball off of the glass with :19 left to make the score, 52-47.
Tamyrik Fields of Augusta University answered back for the Jaguars to send his team to the locker room with the lead of 54-47.

The second half saw a resurgence of Paine as Dillingham and Arnis Libazs started to get in sync with their tandem play. Libazs drained a three pointer with 15:37 left in the half to make the score, 64-61. Newcomer Rahiem Connelly got in on the action and gave Paine its biggest lead of the night when he nailed a three point basket at the 10:37 mark, 79-71. The Jag rallied back to tie the game at 91 when Ja'Shawn Brooks was fouled and went to the free throw line with 3:53 left in the game. Dillingham was fouled and went to the free throw line with 3:24 left in regulation, 93-91. The teams traded baskets until Brooks makes a three pointer to put Augusta University in the lead by one point with :50 left, 99-98. Donald Quarles is fouled with :21 left in regulation and goes one of two at the free throw line to make the score, 99-99. The Jaguars committed a turnover but the Lions were not able to capitalize on it.

In overtime, Tommy Williams of Augusta University drew first blood with a layup at the 4:40 mark, 101-99. Quarles gave Paine's response with a layup of his own with 4:14 left, 101-101. Williams scored again for the Jags at the 3:26 mark, 103-101. Keshun Sherrill started the scoring spree for Augusta University with 2:35 left in overtime by hitting a three point basket, 106-101. The Lions could not recover from the costly turnovers and missed baskets.

Dillingham led the way for Paine, in his fourth double digit scoring game, with 41 points and a team-high five steals. He was followed by Libazs with 22 points. Dillingham and Reginal Shuford tied for the most assists with six apiece. Quarles hit the boards for the Lions with 11 rebounds for the night.

As a team, Paine finished the game with 32 rebounds, 17 assists, 13 steals, and two blocks. The team was 55.6 percent from the field, 48.3 percent from the arc, and 82.8 percent from the free throw line.

Sherill was the leader for the Jaguars with 30 points and four steals. He was followed by Brooks with 24 points, Williams with 19 points, and Keith Crump with 18 points. Deane Williams was the rebounds leader with 11 boards. The assist leader for Augusta University was Crump with six.

Collectively, the Jags finished the night with 35 rebounds, 21 assists, 12 steals, and one blocks. The team was 54.8 percent from the field, 55.6 percent from three point range, and 81.8 percent from the free throw line.

The Lions will host Lander University on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. in the HEAL Complex.