Columbia
BUCKNELL
Strong Defense Powers Men's Basketball to 62-39 Win Over Bucknell
12/6/2014 9:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOX SCORE (.html) | BOX SCORE (.pdf)
NEW YORK – The Columbia men's basketball team put forth its best defensive effort of the season to pick up a 62-39 win over Bucknell Saturday night in Levien Gymnasium. The Lions (5-2) limited the Bison (3-6) to just 28.3 percent shooting from the floor and 2-of-15 (13.3 percent) from beyond the arc.
Offensively, Maodo Lo paced the attack with 20 points, knocking down 4-of-6 from downtown. Cory Osetkowski did a little bit of everything, recording 12 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in the game.
The Lions started red-hot from the floor, jumping out to a 14-2 lead, converting on five of their first seven shots, with 14:20 left in the first half. Columbia's front line was assertive during that stretch, blocking six Bison (3-6) shots.
However, Bucknell settled in and pulled with 16-13 after Chris Hass hit a jumper from the right elbow with 4:51 before the half. Lo ended a drought of nearly five minutes with a strong drive to the tin to bring the lead back up to five. Steve Frankoski followed with a triple from the left corner on the next possession to extend the advantage to 21-13 at the 2:54 mark before another Bison rally.
Hass netted the next five points to cut the deficit to three for the second time, but Lo's trifecta from the top of the key capped the first half scoring to give the Lions a 24-18 lead at the break.
Chris McComber knocked down 3-pointers on two consecutive possessions, highlighting an 8-0 run to start the second stanza, putting the Lions on top, 32-18, just 1:56 into the period.
From there, it was all Columbia. Isaac Cohen picked up one of his four assists, finding a slashing Lo on a no-look feed to put the Lions up, 58-36, with 2:33 to go in the game.
Columbia shot 52 percent in the second half and 44.9 percent for the game. The Lions also posted 15 assists on 22 made field goals.
Columbia will head to Lexington to face off against No. 1 Kentucky on Wednesday, December 10 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN mobile app. Fans can also listen live on the Ivy League Digital Network.
Game notes: The rebound and assist totals were career-highs for Osetkowski.
