Columbia Set for Men's Basketball Home Opener Presented by Rack & Soul on Monday Night
11/15/2010 12:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK – Columbia will open its home slate against Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday, November 15 at 7 p.m. The Lions are coming off a hard-fought setback at La Salle last Friday, when Columbia held a lead for a majority of the second half before La Salle's Ruben Guillandeaux went off for six three-pointers in the half to lift the Explorers to an 82-71 win.
Maryland-Eastern Shore opened its season at home on Friday, falling to Tulane, 91-62. The Hawks trailed Tulane by just seven at halftime, but were unable to contain Tulane's offense in the second half. Kevin White led Maryland-Eastern Shore with 17 points and Freddy Obame Obame and Dishawn Bradshaw each scored 11.
Tickets for the 2010-11 home opener are available by calling 888-LIONS-11 or at the Dodge Fitness Center ticket office on Monday.
Fans who can't make it to Levien Gym can follow all the action live online on the SideLION Pass with Jerry Recco and Dalen Cuff providing the call. The game will also be broadcast live on WKCR 89.9 FM. Game notes are now available.
THE SERIES UP CLOSE
Series record: First meeting
MORE ON THE GAME
Live Video gocolumbialions.com
Live Audio gocolumbialions.com
Jerry Recco (play-by-play)
Dalen Cuff '06 (color)
WKCR 89.9 FM
Sam Tydings (play-by-play)
Nick Bloom (color)
LIONS AT LEVIEN
On January 4, 2010, Columbia won its 200th game at Levien Gymnasium, the Lions' home court since the start of the 1974-75 season, after playing at University Gymnasium. Columbia sports a record of 203-187 all-time at Levien, and has posted winning records at home in each of the last six seasons.
HOME, SWEET HOME
Columbia has won five of its last six home openers at Levien Gym, dating back to the 2004-05 season. Last season, Columbia opened up its home slate with a 72-61 victory over Longwood. Noruwa Agho scored 24 points to pace the Lions' offense.
PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Columbia's Noruwa Agho had a tremendous first game of the 2010-11 season, putting together a stellar all-around effort in the Lions' near miss at La Salle. Agho totaled 26 points, a career-high seven assists and five rebounds in the game and made eight of his 14 shots from the field. He had success driving to the basket early and was a facilitator late as Columbia went on a 28-13 run to close the first half with a four-point advantage.
THE LIFE OF BRIAN
Columbia senior forward Brian Grimes had a solid season opener for the second straight season. Against La Salle, from where he transferred in 2007, Grimes posted nine points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Grimes also totaled a pair of steals. In last season's opener at DePaul, Grimes posted the first of two consecutive double-doubles to start the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Blue Demons.
COLUMBIA BEGINS FOUR GAMES IN EIGHT DAYS STRETCH
Monday's game marks the first of four games in eight days for the Lions before Thanksgiving. The Lions take on St. John's in Queens on Wednesday, then head down to Virginia on Saturday night to play at Longwood. The four-game stretch wraps up against Colgate next Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Levien Gym.
BARBOUR SHOP
Coming off the bench against La Salle, sophomore guard Brian Barbour had a strong game for the Lions in their season opener. Barbour finished with 10 points and five assists, both career bests. The California native committed just a single turnover in 34 minutes of action as Columbia's primary ball handler.
ZACK ATTACK
Senior center Zack Crimmins provided key minutes for the Lions off the bench in the second half. Crimmins ended up scoring a career-high eight points for the Lions with three rebounds. During a pivotal sequence midway through the second half, Crimmins scored consecutive baskets and drew a charge that ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of the game. Columbia led 65-60 before Crimmins went to the bench due to the injury.
MAX POWER
Senior center Max Craig made the start in the frontcourt in the season opener against La Salle and scored six straight points early in the second half to give Columbia its widest margin of the game at 49-37 with 18 minutes remaining.
THE TWO YOUTHS
Columbia started a pair of first-years in the backcourt at La Salle on Friday. Dyami Starks handed out an assist in 11 minutes and Steve Frankoski scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds in 31 minutes of action.
WALK THE LINE
Columbia made good use of its opportunities at the foul line at La Salle on Friday, converting on 19 of 22 free throws.
CLEANING UP THE GLASS
Against a physical, tall La Salle front line, Columbia outrebounded the Explorers on the boards, holding a 37-32 advantage in rebounds. The Lions also hustled their way to 14 offensive rebounds, compared to just seven for La Salle.
