Columbia Closes Out Non-League Schedule at Home Friday vs. NJIT
1/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK ? The Lions will play their final game outside the Ivy League against NJIT on Friday at Levien Gym at 7 p.m. It is a homecoming of sorts for former Lion assistant coach Jim Engles, who is now the head coach at NJIT. Engles was a five-year assistant under Lion mentor Joe Jones before heading across the river.
Tickets are available for the game online or by calling 888-LIONS-11.
THE SERIES UP CLOSE
Series record: Columbia, 3-0
Series started: 1998-99
Last time out: Columbia, 64-52 (1/12/08)
MORE ON THE GAME
Tip-off 7 p.m.
Video gocolumbialions.com
Radio gocolumbialions.com
Jerry Recco (play-by-play)
Dalen Cuff (color)
Additional Radio WKCR 89.9 FM
Destin Jenkins (play-by-play)
Tom DiBenedetto (color)
LION DEFENSE HOLDS STRONG
Columbia's defense has played well during the non-league slate, as the Lions have held opponents to fewer than 70 points in 10 of their first 13 games to start the season. In the Lions' 63-58 win against Marist on Dec. 21, Columbia held the Red Foxes without a field goal for 8:33 in the second half while making its run to take the lead. The Lions held Marist to 31.3 percent shooting from the field for the game.Columbia has held its opponents to 40.8 percent shooting so far this season.
AGHO NAMED IVY LEAGUE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Columbia rookie guard Noruwa Agho is the reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Week, as announced on Jan. 5 by league officials. It is the first weekly honor for Agho, who has had a solid start to his collegiate career, including a career-high 21 points on Dec. 29 vs. Sacred Heart. Last week against Sacred Heart and Lehigh, Agho averaged 14.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 80 percent from the foul line. The New City, N.Y. native has scored in double figures in four of his last six games.
