NEW YORK - The Columbia men's basketball team continues its four-game road swing Friday, December 6 when it heads to Bryant for a 7 p.m. contest. The game can be seen live on NEC Front Row or the NEC On The Run app.
 

OPENING TIP-OFF

• Columbia fell to a 9-0 Delaware squad Monday night, 84-76. The Lions nearly erased an 18-point deficit, climbing within four, but missed a pair of opportunities to pull closer and the Blue Hens knocked down clutch free throws to preserve the win.
• The Lions have two more games on tap before taking a 13-day break due to final exams. Columbia will head to Pittsburgh to face Duquesne Monday night and resume action at Colgate on December 22.
• Mike Smith has scored 20 or more points in five consecutive games and in seven of nine contests this season. He is the first Columbia player to accomplish that feat since Bob Evans did so in six-straight from Jan. 19-Feb. 9, 1973.

 

NEWS/NOTES

BRYANT'S STATUS
The Bulldogs picked up a 60-45 win Monday night over Navy to move back over the .500 mark. Adam Grant is pacing Bryant at 20.4 points per game. Patrick Harding is sixth in the country, averaging 11.6 rebounds per contest.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Columbia is 4-0 all-time against Bryant after posting a 90-68 win over the Bulldogs last December. The Lions led by one at the half, but outscored Bryant 47-26 in the second to pick up the victory. 

COLUMBIA VS. THE NEC
Columbia has fared well against teams currently in the Northeast Conference, posting a 35-23 mark all-time. The Lions' have squared off against St. Francis Brooklyn on 19 occasions (10-9), the most of any NEC squad. 

IF I COULD BE LIKE MIKE
Senior Mike Smith is doing it all for Columbia this season. He is ranked among the top-40 nationally in points per game (21.9 - 17th), 3-point field goal percentage (46.2 percent - 33rd) and minutes per game (36:48 - 19th). Smith is also fourth in the NCAA in total points with 197.

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.

FOLLOW COLUMBIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.