COLUMBIA'S STATUS
The Lions won a back-and-forth affair over Maryland-Eastern Shore, 81-75, Wednesday night to pick up its 10th win of the season. Columbia went scoreless over the first 9:02 of the second half, but Maodo Lo took over down the stretch to help preserve the victory.
CENTRAL PENN'S STATUS
The Knights (USCAA Division II) improved to 6-0 at home after a 110-75 win over Penn State Brandwine Thursday. Central Penn has played five other NCAA Division I and have lost each contest.
Four players average double-figures in points, led by Tyree Tucker (17.3 PPG).
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the third consecutive year Columbia has faced the Knights with the Lions winning the previous two meetings decisively at home.
JAZZY JEFF
Junior Jeff Coby provided a huge lift off the bench in Columbia's victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore, netting a season-high 11 points to go with six rebounds. Coby broke a long scoring drought in the second half and helped the team erase a five-point deficit to help the Lions pick up the win.
EARLY SEASON SUCCESS
Columbia's 10 non-conference wins before Ivy League play is the second most in school history. In 2011-12, the Lions posted an 11-5 record prior the 14-game tournament. Including postseason, Columbia's record for non-conference wins in a season came in 2013-14 when they went 13-7.
DOUBLE (DOUBLE) THE FUN
After registering just one double-double all of 2014-15 (Jeff Coby vs. Lehigh), Columbia has two this season. Alex Rosenberg notched 10 points and 10 boards in the season opener against Kean while Luke Petrasek accomplished the feat with 16 points and 11 rebounds against Howard.
DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
Prior to Kyle Smith's arrival to Columbia, the Lions had not won six or more games in any calender month since February 1982 (8-1). With Columbia's 6-1 record in December, Smith has now accomplished the feat twice after posting a 6-1 mark in December 2011 in his first season at the helm.
