AUGUSTA, Ga. (Men's Basketball) – The Paine College men's basketball team played host to the Livingstone College Blue Bears on Friday. The Lions were able to hold off Livingstone and snap up the team's third win of the season, 78-77.

With the victory, Paine moves to 3-9, overall, and the Blue Bears drop to 3-6.

The Lions were led by Denzel Dillingham with 25 points. Dillingham was followed by Christian Nobles with 15 points and Patrick Petty with 12 points. Don Quarles was a major contributor with a double – double of 11 points and team high 13 rebounds. Petty was the initiator for Paine's offense with nine assists. Nobles and Petty, both, had a nose for the ball as they came up with three steals. Kaderious Compton accounted for the lone Lions block of the night.

Collectively, Paine finished the game with 35 rebounds, 18 assists, 10 steals, and one block. The team was 41.8 percent from the field, 50 percent from the arc and 53.8 percent from the free throw line.

Nasir Austin was the point leader for Livingstone with 14 points. Austin was followed by Ty Newman with 13 points and Jimmy Wilson with 10 points.  The assist leaders for the Blue Bears were Newman and Daryl Trynham with six assists. Mark Johnson accounted for two blocks.

As a team, Livingstone finished the night with 37 rebounds, 19 assists, six steals, and three blocks. The team was 51.8 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three point range, and 55 percent from the stripe.

The Lions return to action against Lander University as they travel to Greenwood, S.C. on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.