Columbia
Manhattan
Men's Basketball Leads from Start to Finish in 59-41 Win at Manhattan
11/26/2011 4:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Columbia's defense led the way in a 59-41 victory at Manhattan's Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions held the Jaspers to 26.2 percent shooting in the game and forced 21 Manhattan turnovers.
Columbia got off to a quick start, leading 15-2 after consecutive three-pointers by Meiko Lyles and Alex Rosenberg at the 13:25 mark. The Lions registered assists on five of their first six buckets.
The defenses then took over as the shooting cooled for the remainder of the half. Manhattan cut the Lions' lead to five twice during the first half but Columbia led 27-19 at intermission.
The second half started as the first half ended and Manhattan's Michael Alvarado sank a free throw to get the Jaspers within seven with 16:27 remaining.
After Roberto Colonette made one of two free throws at the 14:57 mark, Manhattan trailed by just five, 29-24. But Columbia easily broke Manhattan's press on its next possession and Rosenberg converted a driving layup for a conventional three-point play to put Columbia ahead by eight.
That play sparked a 14-0 Columbia run over the next five minutes, punctuated by a fast-break layup by Lyles that gave the Lions a 43-24 advantage.
Columbia's lead never dipped below 12 points the rest of the way as the Lions made seven of eight free throws in the final five minutes to wrap up the road win.
"We practiced Thanksgiving night and our attitude was awesome," head coach Kyle Smith said after the game. "Getting off to an early start helped us today."
Brian Barbour was Columbia's high man with 22 points, four assists, two steals and just one turnover in 38 minutes of action. Barbour was one of Columbia's many ball handlers that deftly navigated a changing, trapping Manhattan defense. The Jaspers came into the game having forced more than 20 turnovers a game.
"We had alot of composure," Barbour stated. "We handled the press well and we played better as a team today."
In his first collegiate start, Rosenberg scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds and had three steals. John Daniels had 11 rebounds, one shy of his career high.
Columbia is back in action at Levien Gymnasium on Monday, November 28 against Swarthmore. Game time is 7 p.m. Tickets are available online or by calling 888-LIONS-11. Students are admitted free with Columbia or Barnard ID.
NOTES:
The 41 points was the fewest points a Columbia team has allowed in more than four years, when Columbia defeated Delaware State 47-41 on Nov. 12, 2007 ... after getting outrebounded for the first time this season at Stony Brook, Columbia won the battle of the boards at Manhattan, 40-37 ... the Lions also outrebounded the Jaspers 16-12 on the offensive glass ... Columbia held Manhattan to 26.2 percent shooting in the game and 17.4 percent in the second half ... Chris Crockett had six points and two assists for the second straight game ... Meiko Lyles had fix points and six rebounds ... Blaise Staab had five points, two boards and three steals ... Columbia's defense drew four charges in the game ... it was the first time the two schools, separated by six miles, had met since 2003 and the first meeting at Draddy Gymnasium since the 1994-95 season.
