NEW YORK – The Columbia men's basketball team held Maine to just 37.1 percent shooting and downed Maine, 83-71, in the Lions' (2-10) strongest defensive game of the season. Mike Smith and Quinton Adlesh each scored 16 points to lead Columbia (2-10).
Smith tied a career-high with eight assists. Adlesh was 6-of-9 from the floor, drained four triples and established a personal best with seven dimes. Patrick Tapé added 12 points and six boards. Lukas Meisner chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds in just 22 minutes of action.
The Lions turned strong first half defense into offense in the first half, grabbing 23 rebounds and holding an 18-3 edge in fast break points in the opening stanza.
Adlesh posted 11 of Columbia's first 18 points and Kyle Castlin finished an alley-oop to give the Lions a 20-12 cushion with 12:41 left in the first half. After the Black Bears closed within four at the midway point, Patrick Tapé answered with two consecutive buckets to swing the momentum back in favor of the Lions. Columbia finished the half 5-of-8 from downtown and took a 46-27 lead into the break.
The Lions continued to lock in defensively and held Maine without a field goal for a span of 7:11 and took its largest lead of the game, 73-40, after a Tapé finish in the lane with 10:10 to play to put the game out of reach.
Columbia finished the game shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and dished out a season-high 24 assists. The Black Bears (3-12) were 8-of-27 from downtown and pulled down 43 rebounds, 12 offensive.
Aaron Calixte led Maine with 19 points, going 3-of-6 from 3-point range.
The Lions wrap up non-conference play against Sarah Lawrence on Saturday, January 6. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting gocolumbialions.com/tickets or calling 888-LIONS-11.
Fans can catch the action live on the Ivy League Network.
 POSTGAME TIP-INS
- Columbia improved to 4-2 all-time against Maine.
- The Lions knocked down nine or more treys for the ninth consecutive game.
- Kyle Castlin returned to action after missing the last 10 games due to injury. He scored eight points and grabbed three rebounds in 19 minutes.
- Mike Smith recorded double-figures in points for the 22nd straight contest and had five or more assists in his fifth straight game.
- Luke Bolster made his first collegiate appearance in the second half.
