AUGUSTA, Ga. (Men's Basketball) –  In a barn burner of a game, the Paine College men's basketball team rallied to defend their home court and defeat the Panthers of Claflin University in an overtime victory on Thursday, 79-76.

The Lions were still reeling from a three game skid with their latest loss from exhibition opponent, Kennesaw State University to the tune of 80-75. Claflin entered the HEAL Complex riding the wave of a 54-53 win over Benedict.

Paine and the Panthers traded points most of the first half with Claflin eventually taking a nine point lead with 8:01 left in the first half. The Lions began to chip away at the lead when Arnis Libazs made a monster dunk at the 7:41 mark in the first half, 28-21. Don Quarles gave his two cents with a trick of layups at the 7:06, 6:29, and 6:04 marks in the first half, 28-27. The Panther's Patrell Rogers went to the free throw line after being fouled by Quarles with 3:55 left in the first half and made both baskets, 30-27. The first half of play ended with Carlton Johnson being fouled by Nathan Powell and making both of his free throws, 34-33.

The Lions played the entire second half from behind as they traded blows with Claflin to cut their lead. Turnovers were the Achilles heel for Paine as they committed nine in the second half. The Lions great free throw shooting and bench kept them alive in the second half. With :14 left in the second half, Jay West made a layup that cut the Panther lead to  two points, 65-63. Fare'al Walker missed a critical free throw with :02 left in regulation allowing Libazs to make timely rebound and Dillingham to make a layup to tie the game, 65-65.

In overtime, the Lions took the lead after Denzel Dillingham made a three pointer with 2:09 left, 69-68. Paine won the game when Quarles was fouled by Walker and he made both of his free throw baskets with :07 left in overtime, 79-76.

The Lions were led by Dillingham with 20 points. He was followed by Libazs and Quarles with 16 points. Quarles led the team with nine rebounds and three steals. Patrick Petty kept the table set for Paine with a team-high five assists.

As a team, the Lions finished the night with 30 rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals, and two blocks. Paine was 48.3 percent from the field, 35 percent from the arc, and 66.7 percent from the free throw line.

Arthur Talley led Claflin with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. He also led the team in blocks with two. Michael Wynn was second in scoring for the Panthers with 14 points. Ryan McNeill-Moses led the team in rebounds with 10, in assists with five, and in steals with four.

As a team, the Panthers finished the game with 36 rebounds, 13 assists, nine steals, and two blocks. The Panthers were 43.9 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from the arc, and 60 percent from the free throw line.

With the win, Paine moves to 15-5 overall and 11-2 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Claflin drops to 11-11 overall and 8-5 in league play.

The Lions return to action on Saturday as they travel to face Fort Valley State University at 7:30 p.m.

For complete coverage of Paine College Lions basketball, please follow @PaineAthletics on Twitter and Paine Athletics on Facebook. You can also find up-to-date information on all things Paine Athletics at www.paineathletics.com.