BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Men's Basketball) – The Paine College men opened the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament against Miles College on Tuesday night. The Lions fought hard but were defeated by the Golden Bears, 82-73.

The loss ends Paine's season with record of 7-22 and eliminates them from tournament play. The Golden Bears advance to the next round.

The Lions were led by Christian Nobles and Rahiem Connelly with 14 points each. Nobles kept the table set for Paine with three assists and three steals. Don Quarles and Arnold Okechukwu made their presence felt with 10 points a piece. Quarles was a force in the paint recording nine rebounds. 

Collectively, Paine finished the game with 29 rebounds, 11 steals, and seven assists. The team was 44.4 percent from the field, 26.1 percent from the arc, and 61.3 percent from the free throw line.

Joshua Johnson and Maiscei Grier were the leaders for Miles with 16 points a piece. Johnson recorded a team high nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

As a team, the Golden Bears finished the game with 38 rebounds, 15 assists, and eight steals. The team was 49.1 percent from the field, 30 percent from the arc, and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.