Men's Basketball | 12/13/2024 9:07:00 PM

Box Score FORT VALLEY, Ga. – The Paine College men's basketball team notched a 56-53 win at Fort Valley State Friday evening.

The Lions are now 8-5 on the season.

PC was led by Calvin Johnson's 13-point, seven-rebound effort. He also added a block and a steal. Quinnton Jackson posted 12 points, four boards and three assists while Kole Taylor and Khalid Johnson netted 10 points apiece. Amarie Kirby contributed nine points while Jaylen Dopson had two markers.

Taylor registered six rebounds. Taylor and Kirby had two steals apiece.  

Down 14-0, Johnson and Jackson hit back-to-back baskets with just over 12 minutes to go in the first half. Johnson and Johnson had buckets, pulling the team within eight, 16-8, with 10:37 to play. Trailing 18-8, Jackson and Kirby hit back-to-back three-point shots before Kirby made a lay-up at the 6:48 mark to make it 18-16.

Jackson canned a three-ball before finding Dopson for a lay-up with 2:10 to go, giving the Lions a 25-24 advantage. However, FVSU took a 29-28 lead into halftime.

A 6-0 spurt early in the second half gave PC a 34-32 edge. Down 41-35, Taylor found Johnson and Johnson for baskets. With the score 43-39, Taylor connected on a jumper. Kiby hit two free throws before Johnson's field goal gave the Lions a 46-43 margin.

Tied at 50-50, Johnson and Taylor made shots. Leading 54-53, Kirby made a lay-up with just 65 seconds to play. FVSU was able to get off a three-point attempt at the buzzer, but the miss sealed the win for the visitors.

For the game, PC hit 23-of-59 from the floor, including six-of-19 from downtown. The Lions made four-of-five from the charity stripe. PC dished out eight assists and converted 13 turnovers into 13 points.

The Lions return to action Saturday, Jan. 4, when they play at Virginia-Lynchburg at 4 p.m.