Saturday, November 11
New York, N.Y.
7:00 P.M.
Columbia
0-2,0-0Ivy League
75
vs
78
UAlbany
1-1,0-0America East
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAlbany | 41 | 37 | 78 |
| Columbia | 29 | 46 | 75 |
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Men’s Basketball Falls to UAlbany, 78-75, in Home Opener
11/11/2023 10:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Lions battle back to outscore Great Danes by nine in second half
NEW YORK — Columbia men's basketball took UAlbany down to the wire but dropped its home opener from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium, 78-75, on Saturday night.
The Lions (0-2) erased a six-point margin to tie the game at 75 with 45 seconds left. Down four with 1:58 left, Zavian McLean forced a turnover and then dished to Josh Odunowo to make it a two-point game. Another UAlbany (1-1) turnover led to a McLean fast break and-one to tie it. McLean was unable to convert the free throw.
UAlbany's Sebastian Thomas laid a basket in with 26 seconds left to put the Great Danes up two. Amar'e Marshall went 1-of-2 at the foul line in the closing seconds to leave the Lions a chance but the half-court shot at the buzzer wouldn't go.
Saturday night was the second straight game with four Lions scoring in double-figures. Columbia was led by Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa, who poured in 17 points. It was his eighth straight double-figures performance dating back to last season. Kenny Noland had 15 points, followed by Odunow (14), and Avery Brown (13).
Brown and Noland led the way for the Lions early, with the pair doing much of the scoring. Columbia took a 17-14 lead with 11:30 to go in the first half on a De La Rosa three-pointer. UAlbany responded by riding a 7-0 run to open up a 23-17 lead, leading to a Lions timeout.
Both teams' offenses started to click coming out of the media timeout with three possessions in a row for both teams ending in buckets. Zine Eddine Bedri, Noland, and McLean scored for the Lions. The Great Danes took a 41-29 lead into halftime.
The Lions started the second half hot. Columbia brought the lead back down to single digits with a 9-0 run coming out the break. De La Rosa hit a jumper and then cashed in all three of his free throws on the next possession. Odunowo and McLean also each made both of their free throws as part of the run.
Blair Thompson spun and drove for a big basket and the foul heading into a media timeout at the 12-minute mark. He hit the free throw to trim the Great Danes' lead to 54-46.
De La Rosa also led the Lions in both steals and assists with three apiece. Thompson and McLean both posted a team-high four rebounds. The Lions went an impressive 22-for-24 (.917) from the free throw line.
Columbia is back in action on Sunday at home against Bard (0-1) at 6 p.m. The game can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+. Click here or call 888-LIONS-11 to purchase tickets.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
The Lions (0-2) erased a six-point margin to tie the game at 75 with 45 seconds left. Down four with 1:58 left, Zavian McLean forced a turnover and then dished to Josh Odunowo to make it a two-point game. Another UAlbany (1-1) turnover led to a McLean fast break and-one to tie it. McLean was unable to convert the free throw.
UAlbany's Sebastian Thomas laid a basket in with 26 seconds left to put the Great Danes up two. Amar'e Marshall went 1-of-2 at the foul line in the closing seconds to leave the Lions a chance but the half-court shot at the buzzer wouldn't go.
Saturday night was the second straight game with four Lions scoring in double-figures. Columbia was led by Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa, who poured in 17 points. It was his eighth straight double-figures performance dating back to last season. Kenny Noland had 15 points, followed by Odunow (14), and Avery Brown (13).
Brown and Noland led the way for the Lions early, with the pair doing much of the scoring. Columbia took a 17-14 lead with 11:30 to go in the first half on a De La Rosa three-pointer. UAlbany responded by riding a 7-0 run to open up a 23-17 lead, leading to a Lions timeout.
Both teams' offenses started to click coming out of the media timeout with three possessions in a row for both teams ending in buckets. Zine Eddine Bedri, Noland, and McLean scored for the Lions. The Great Danes took a 41-29 lead into halftime.
The Lions started the second half hot. Columbia brought the lead back down to single digits with a 9-0 run coming out the break. De La Rosa hit a jumper and then cashed in all three of his free throws on the next possession. Odunowo and McLean also each made both of their free throws as part of the run.
Blair Thompson spun and drove for a big basket and the foul heading into a media timeout at the 12-minute mark. He hit the free throw to trim the Great Danes' lead to 54-46.
De La Rosa also led the Lions in both steals and assists with three apiece. Thompson and McLean both posted a team-high four rebounds. The Lions went an impressive 22-for-24 (.917) from the free throw line.
Columbia is back in action on Sunday at home against Bard (0-1) at 6 p.m. The game can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+. Click here or call 888-LIONS-11 to purchase tickets.
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Team Stats
ANY
CU
FG%
.458
.404
3FG%
.353
.318
FT%
.667
.917
RB
40
25
TO
15
10
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
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