AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Paine College men's basketball team broke open a close game early in the second half and notched a 96-85 win over Clinton College Friday evening.

The Lions are now 6-5 on the year while the Golden Bears drop to 7-4.

Trailing 6-0 in the early going, Calvin Johnson converted a lay-up. Quinnton Jackson hit a jumper to make it 6-4. Moments later, Jackson nailed a shot in the lane for the team's first lead of the game. With the score tied at 17-17, Amarie Kirby unleashed a three-ball off a pass from Jackson. He hit another shot from beyond the arc for a 23-17 margin.

With 3:30 to play, Kole Taylor canned a jumper off a turnover for a 36-28 advantage. The visitors made it 39-34 before Jackson went coast to coast for a bucket. Johnson extended the margin to nine, 43-34, before the Lions took a 43-36 lead into halftime.

PC pushed the margin to 47-36 on Jackson's jumper early in the second period and never looked back. With 13:04 to go, Taylor canned a shot from the floor to go up 64-43.

After a steal by Jackson, he flipped a pass to Kirby who threw down a dunk at the 11:25 mark for a 70-45 edge. The Lions extended the advantage to 28 on Khalid Johnson's lay-up with 5:49 to play.

The Golden Bears went on a 22-5 run over the final 4:56 for the final tally.

Coach Marshall's team was led by Taylor's 21-point effort. Jackson totaled 19 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds. Kirby came off the bench to net 19 points, including 15 from downtown. Calvin Johnson narrowly missed a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.

For the game, PC hit 37-of-81 shots, including 11-of-23 from downtown. The team grabbed 42 rebounds, including 17 on the offensive glass.

The Lions return to action Tuesday when they host Brewton-Parker at 7 p.m.