FAIRFIELD, Conn. — In a tightly contested game, Sacred Heart's Nico Galette's two buckets in the final minute of regulation proved to be the difference in the Pioneers' 88-85 victory over Columbia men's basketball Sunday afternoon. Sophomore Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa led the Lions (0-3) with a career-high 28 points.
 
Sacred Heart (2-1) led by as many as 11 in the first half before Columbia used a 16-2 run to take the lead. From there, the contest featured 23 lead changes and 11 tie scores.
 
In the second half, the Lions fell behind 75-68 with 7:41 remaining but refused to go quietly. A Blair Thompson steal wound up in the hands of Avery Brown, who made a spun and sent a long spinning pass to Rubio De La Rosa to pull Columbia within one just over a minute later. With 5:01 to go, Brown stepped into a triple from the top of the key, giving the Lions a 79-78 edge.
 
The teams traded punches over the next several minutes, and Josh Odunowo converted on a tough turnaround layup with 1:20 to go to put Columbia in front, 85-84. However, Galette drove down the right side for a layup with 55 seconds to go to put Sacred Heart back on top. The Lions turned the ball over on its next trip down the floor, and Galette hit a dagger fadeaway jumper to make it a three-point game. Columbia had an open look from the corner, but the ball rimmed out as time ran out.
 
Brown finished with 19 points and six assists, while Murphy added 13 points for a season-high. 
 
Rubio De La Rosa was feeling it early with 11 quick points, but Sacred Heart did an excellent job of attacking and got to the foul line to hold a slim early advantage. The Pioneers went on a 10-2 run, capped by a Joey Reilly trey on the right wing, to build a 28-17 advantage with 10:24 left in the frame when Columbia answered back.
 
The Lions found the range, knocking down four 3-pointers during their rally to take their first lead on a Liam Murphy corner triple to make it 31-29 at the 6:28 mark. From there, the teams matched each other, nearly shot for shot, and Sacred Heart regained the lead, 47-46, on a Tanner Thomas tip-in just before time expired in the half.
 
For the Pioneers, Mike Sixsmith had a game-high 23 points.
 
The Lions are back in action Wednesday, November 16, when they host Delaware State. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or calling 888-LIONS-11. The game will also be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
 
For the latest on the Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.