NJIT
65
80
Columbia
| Stat Comparison |
|---|
| Category |
NJIT |
Columbia |
| Points |
65 |
80 |
| FGM-A |
24-58 |
25-56 |
| FG% |
41.4% |
48.2% |
| 3 FGM-A |
12-25 |
10-27 |
| 3 FG% |
48% |
37% |
| FTM-A |
5-8 |
16-20 |
| FT% |
62.5% |
80.0% |
| Rebounds |
29 |
39 |
| Assists |
17 |
19 |
| Turnovers |
11 |
11 |
| Blocks |
1 |
8 |
| Steals |
2 |
6 |
| Individual Leaders |
|---|
| Category |
NJIT |
Columbia |
| Points |
Lynn - 18 |
Lo - 29 |
| Rebounds |
Coleman - 14 |
Meisner - 10 |
| Assists |
Howard - 6 |
Lo - 6 |
| Steals |
2 players - 1 |
Lo - 3 |
| Blocks |
Coleman - 1 |
3 Tied - 2 |
NEW YORK – The Columbia men's basketball team is moving on to the 2016 CollegeInsider.com Tournament Championship game after topping NJIT, 80-65, on Saturday. The Lions improved to 24-10, establishing a new single-season program record. The win was also the 100th career victory for head coach Kyle Smith.
Columbia will face UC Irvine in the final on Tuesday, March 29 in Levien Gymnasium at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 888-LIONS-11.
Maodo Lo posted a season-high 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting. Lo also recorded six assists, three steals and two blocks in 33 minutes of action. Lukas Meisner picked up his first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Columbia got off to a slow start offensively, but dug in on the other end of the floor to remain within striking distance. NJIT's Rob Ukawuba hit a triple to give the Highlanders a 15-10 advantage with 8:24 left in the first half before the Lions' put their foot on the gas.
Alex Rosenberg gave Columbia its first lead of the night with a strong drive in transition at the 6:22 mark. After missing their first 11 tries from beyond the arc, the Lions nailed their next three to spark a 20-3 run and took a 33-22 advantage into the locker room.
The Highlanders tried to push the tempo after the break, applying full court pressure and pulled within four at the 14:32 mark. However, Lo got free for a 3-pointer to kick-start a 9-2 rally and restore a 55-42 cushion with 9:45 to play.
From there, the Lions led by double-figures the rest of the way.
Columbia held a 39-29 advantage on the class and outscored NJIT, 32-20, in the paint.
