Columbia University
Youngstown State
Three Games on Docket for Columbia at Johnny Bach Classic
11/13/2018 3:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Lions will get an early dose of back-to-back action with games against Youngstown State, FIU and Fordham in the Bronx this weekend.
OPENING TIP-OFF
• The Lions dropped their season opener at Marist, 82-76, Saturday night. Five players scored in double-figures for Columbia, but the Red Foxes shot 50.9 percent from the floor and knocked down 12 3-pointers.
• Ike Nweke was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week after registering 17 points and seven rebounds against Marist in his collegiate debut.
• Mike Smith had a strong all-around game with 23 points, tied a career-high with eight assists, pulled down four rebounds and added three steals.
NEWS/NOTES
YOUNGSTOWN STATE'S STATUS
The Penguins topped Division III Heidelberg Monday for their first win of the season after falling at Pittsburgh and to Akron to begin the 2018-19 season. Forward Olamide Pederson leads the squad, averaging 12.0 points and is 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) from the floor. He and Naz Bohannon are each pulling down 7.7 rebounds heading into the weekend.
INSIDE THE YSU SERIES
Columbia will face Youngstown State for just the second time Friday night. The Penguins won the only other meeting, 55-51, on Nov. 27, 1982 at the Utica Classic in Central New York.
COLUMBIA AGAINST THE HORIZON LEAGUE
The Lions only opponent that is currently in the Horizon League has been Youngstown State.
FIU'S STATUS
The Panthers outlasted Milwaukee 86-83 after coasting by a pair of NAIA's schools in their first two games. Forward Devon Andrews leads four players averaging in double-figures at 20.0 points per game on 76.7 percent shooting from the floor and is 6-of-7 from long range. Osasumwen Osaghae is averaging 10.3 rebounds in just 14.7 minutes per game.
INSIDE THE FIU SERIES
Saturday will be just the second matchup between the Lions and Panthers. FIU took the previous contest, 82-67, in Miami on Dec. 27, 1995.
COLUMBIA AGAINST CONFERENCE USA
Against teams currently in C-USA, Columbia is 4-7. The Lions last played and defeated an opponent from the conference on Nov. 21, 2013 when they bested North Texas in Portland, Oregon.
FORDHAM'S STATUS
The Rams are coming off a a 75-72 defeat at Houston Baptist Saturday after winning their opener against Division III CCNY. First-year Ty Perry has scored 22 points in each of the first two games for Fordham and is 12-for-19 (69.6 percent) from 3-point range.
INSIDE THE FORDHAM SERIES
Columbia and Fordham will meet for the 79th time Sunday with the Rams holding a 50-28 advantage in the series. The schools separated by just 7.6 miles have not faced each other since a 65-62 win by Columbia in Rose Hill Gym on Nov. 14, 2008.
COLUMBIA AGAINST THE A-10
The Lions hold a 33-68 record against teams currently in the Atlantic 10. Columbia's most common A-10 foe is Fordham and that is the Lions' last victory from an A10 opponent in 2008 when the Rams were a member of the Patriot League. Prior to that, Columbia came away with a 52-40 win over UMass on Dec. 29, 1984.
THE IVY LEAGUE ON ESPN+
All home Columbia games and most Ivy League road contests will air on ESPN+ as part of The Ivy League's new partnership with ESPN. ESPN+ is a new, subscription-based service that offers monthly ($4.99) and yearly ($49.99) plans. Click here to subscribe to ESPN+ and start your free trial! Click here for frequently asked questions about the Ivy League on ESPN.
