BRONX, N.Y. – Despite another strong individual performance, this time a 33-point effort from sophomore Gabe Stefanini, the Columbia men's basketball team fell to 0-3 after a 98-87 defeat to Florida International University Saturday evening. The Panthers (3-1) had six players score in double-figures, led by Brian Beard Jr.'s 26 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
"I thought (FIU's full court pressure) did kind of tire us out," said head coach Jim Engles. "I thought we did a pretty good job against it and were able to get some pretty good opportunities offensively out of it. Ultimately, I think it came down to our half-court (execution). We hung tough most of the game, we had a bad stretch with about eight minutes to go and they were able to extend the lead off of some turnovers."
Stefanini, who was 12-for-17 from the floor, scored 13 of the Lions' first 15 points to help Columbia race out to a seven-point lead just three minutes in. Maka Ellis' first career basket, a 3-pointer, gave the Lions their largest lead of the game, 28-18, before FIU settled in.
The Panthers rattled off the next 10 points to even things up, however, Quinton Adlesh answered with a triple to put the Lions back in front at the 8:52 mark of the half. With Columbia holding a six-point lead with 7:18 left in the frame, FIU held the Lions to just one field goal the rest of the period and forced a trio of players, including Mike Smith, to sit on the bench due to foul trouble.
Beard Jr. put the Panthers up for the first time with a free throw at the 2:04 mark and FIU led at the half, 43-41.
Trejon Jacobs knocked down a pair of triples to help the Panthers extend the cushion to eight early in the second half. An Isaiah Banks steal and layup made it 56-46 with 15:43 to go and drew Smith's fourth foul. With the Lions leading scorer out of the contest, Columbia was still able to claw its way back and drew within 64-63 when Stefanini kicked out to Jake Killinsworth from beyond the arc at the 11:20 mark.
With the Lions still hanging around, FIU turned to 6-7 Osasumwen Osaghae in the paint, who scored six-straight from close range to extend the margin to 82-71 with 5:58 on the clock. Columbia drew within a possession on three more occasions, but each time the Panthers responded with a clutch basket to close out the victory.
Patrick Tapé finished with 11 points and six rebounds off the bench. Rodney Hunter pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.
The Lions will wrap up the three-day Johnny Bach Classic Sunday, November 18 against Fordham. Game time is slated for 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
