Homecoming game won't be pushover

As tradition goes, homecoming games are supposed to be easy.

Paine's men, though, will not get the luxury of playing a cheesecake opponent tonight. Instead, it matches up against one of its main Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rivals.

The Lions play host to Morehouse at 8 p.m. tonight at Christenberry Fieldhouse. In the women's game, the Lady Lions will face Columbia College at 6.

Tickets are $10 at the box office.

"Whatever type team is on the schedule, I'll play them," Paine coach Ron Spry said. "I know Morehouse is one of the best teams in the conference, and we'll have a big challenge."

Paine (11-9, 9-6) will have its hands full with a Morehouse team that leads the conference in rebounding margin (plus-4.9) and is second in scoring defense (66.2). Douglas Whittler, Chris Donaldson and William Belton all average 12 points per game for the Maroon Tigers.

The Lions, who lost to Morehouse (12-8, 9-4) by two on the road Jan. 10, are looking to continue their hot stretch since an 0-5 start to the season. Paine has won four of its past five, and senior guard Nate Lewis is hitting his stride. Lewis is averaging 14.3 points, 5.2 boards and 4.3 assists the past six games.

"Since the Christmas break, they've played well except for that game at Benedict College (a 13-point loss)," Spry said. "We just have to be consistent."

Paine usually draws large crowds for its homecoming games. Spry said he believes the game could be a sellout at the 2,216-seat arena.

"I know the game will be well-attended," Spry said. "Morehouse has a lot of followers, especially in the Augusta area."

The SIAC-leading Paine women (13-7, 12-2) face NAIA Columbia College, an all-womens' college in Columbia The Lady Lions, ranked fourth in the South Region, are looking for a victory to go 2-1 on the week.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.