NEW YORK – The Columbia men's basketball team erased an 11-point second half deficit, but Colgate's Francisco Amile converted a game-winning 3-pointer with 1:41 to play to give the Raiders a 64-62 victory Wednesday night. The loss drops the Lions to 1-6 overall, while Colgate improves to 7-3.
 
Trailing 59-48 with 8:24 to play, Columbia used a 14-3 run to put the Lions in front. The spurt was keyed by 3-pointers from Quinton Adlesh and Gabe Stefanini and capped by Jake Killingsworth's triple from the right wing, which gave the Lions a 61-59 advantage with 5:03 to play. Killingsworth's shot put Columbia in front for the first time since going ahead 2-0 at the start of the game.
 
Later, a Randy Brumant steal led to an Adlesh triple that gave the Lions a 62-61 lead with 3:38 to go. However, Colgate clamped down and found Amile open at the top of the key and drained the final bucket for either team with under two minutes to go.
 
The Lions had several opportunities in the game's final two minutes but missed three shots from beyond the arc. After Colgate ran time off the clock, Brumant blocked a layup attempt with 17 seconds to play. Colgate, who was under the limit, fouled twice, and Mike Smith missed a trey with five seconds to play, but Columbia maintained possession with 2.4 seconds left. The Lions' inbounded to Adlesh, who misfired from the right corner as time expired.
 
"It was such a slow game in the first half and we were able to quicken the pace in the second, which was more favorable to what we're trying to do," head coach Jim Engles said. "I was happy with the way we fought back and put ourselves in position to have a chance at the end of the game. The guys have been great. They're playing for each other and playing hard. I'm proud of the way they've been playing, and if we stick with it, this thing will finally break."
 
The Raiders built a 36-23 halftime lead, outscoring Columbia 14-4 over the first half's final seven minutes. Colgate scored 15 points off turnovers and outrebounded the Lions, 20-13.
 
Colgate was led by Jordan Burns' game-high 18 points. Amiel added 10 points.
 
Adlesh paced the Lions with 12 points and junior Mike Smith finished with 10 points and eight assists, tying his career-high. Randy Brumant pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and added nine points off the bench.
 
Columbia dropped its fourth decision by two or fewer possessions and its last three losses have been determined by a combined four points.
 
The Lions wrap up their four-game home stand Friday, December 7, against Bryant. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or calling 888-LIONS-11. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN+.