Lions Post Win Over New College Of Florida (4-10)

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Paine College men's basketball team rattled off an 89-86 victory over New College of Florida Friday evening.

The Lions are now 5-10 on the season.

PC was led by Eliot Harrison's 20-point, 17-rebound performance. Quinnton Jackson added 24 points and six assists. Elijah Greer-Dawson tallied 12 points and four assists while Ivan Lawson and Amarie Kirby netted 11 points apiece.

Tied at 4-4, Harrison hit a pair of free throws prior to Jackson going coast-to-coast for a lay-up. Harrison took a pass from Jackson and slammed down the pass for a 10-4 lead. Moments later, Harrison's lay-up extended the margin to 23-11.

Up by nine, Harrison pushed the advantage back to double figures off a lay-up at the 6:27 mark for a 34-23 score. The visitors slowly cut into the deficit and a free throw by the opposition with 28 seconds remaining made it a 44-40 contest at halftime.

Leading by two, Ivan Lawson hit a free throw. At the 15:33 mark, Elijah Greer-Dawson canned an inside bucket for a five-point margin. With 11:16 to play, Jackson extended the lead to seven, 66-59. The visitors pulled within three, but Lawson responded with a jumper. After trading baskets for a few possessions, Khalid Johnson took a pass from Kole Taylor and nailed a three-ball for a 75-69 advantage.

Up by three, Nate Adams hit two free throws. Jackson and Adams each hit baskets for an 83-74 lead with 3:50 to play. However, NCF would not go away. The team cut into the margin several times. With just 31 seconds to go, the visitors made it an 85-84 game. Jackson was fouled and hit both free throws.

NCF responded with a lay-up with 16.1 seconds to play to make it 87-86. A turnover by the visitors and a foul allowed PC to seal the contest.

For the game, PC hit 35-of-68 from the floor (51.3 precent). The team accounted for 15 points off the break and grabbed 39 rebounds. The squad dished out 14 assists and had nine steals in the victory.

The Lions return to action Friday, Jan. 26 when they play at Clinton. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.