Tuesday, November 21
New York, N.Y.
7:30 P.M.
Columbia University
4-2,0-0Ivy League
77
vs
67
LIU
0-4,0-0NEC
1
2
F
LIU
25
42
67
Columbia
41
36
77
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Men’s Basketball Holds Off LIU, 77-67, for Fourth Straight Win
11/21/2023 10:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Lions win four in a row for the first time since March 2016
NEW YORK — Columbia men's basketball defeated LIU, 77-67, for its fourth consecutive victory on Tuesday night from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
The Lions have now won four straight games for the first time since their CollegeInsider.com Tournament Championship run in late March of 2016.
Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa posted a team-high 19 points, while Avery Brown (13 points) and Blair Thompson (12 points) rounded out the trio of double-figure scorers for Columbia (4-2). Josh Odunowo had five assists and all three of Columbia's blocked shots. Thompson grabbed a career-high and team-best nine rebounds.
Rubio De La Rosa got off to a hot start for the Lions, drilling two three-pointers in the first five minutes of the game to give Columbia an early 8-4 lead heading into the first media timeout.
The Lions defense was locked in out of the gate, holding LIU (0-4) without a field goal for nearly six straight minutes early in the first half, as Columbia grew its lead to 17-6.
With 7:53 remaining in the half, Noah Robledo capped a 10-0 Lions run with a three-pointer that extended Columbia's lead to 29-10 and forced the Sharks to call a timeout. The Lions shot a scorching 71 percent from deep through the first 12 minutes of the game.
LIU responded well out of the timeout, scoring seven straight points to cut the deficit to 12, but Zavian McLean put an end to the run with a fast break layup. The Lions would head into the locker room with a 41-25 lead after McLean scored again with just 10 ticks left on the clock. Columbia's defense held LIU to just 33 percent shooting in the opening half.
The Sharks benefitted from multiple Columbia fouls and turnovers to start the second half and went on a 6-0 blitz. LIU also held Columbia without a field goal for the first five minutes. The Sharks would pull to within six points with 11:32 left to play, but Robledo had the answer for the Lions, sinking a bucket from the wing.
LIU would cut its deficit to six three more times, including after back-to-back triples with just 5:20 left to play. A well-executed backdoor cut and finish from Rubio De La Rosa off a feed from Odunowo halted the run.
Brown would help close out the win, scoring seven points in the final four minutes, including multiple clutch free throws. The sophomore guard finished 9-13 from the free-throw line, contributing to Columbia's 28-39 mark from the charity stripe.
The Lions take on Maine on Saturday at 1 p.m. from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
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 have now won four straight games for the first time since their CollegeInsider.com Tournament Championship run in late March of 2016.
Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa posted a team-high 19 points, while Avery Brown (13 points) and Blair Thompson (12 points) rounded out the trio of double-figure scorers for Columbia (4-2). Josh Odunowo had five assists and all three of Columbia's blocked shots. Thompson grabbed a career-high and team-best nine rebounds.
Rubio De La Rosa got off to a hot start for the Lions, drilling two three-pointers in the first five minutes of the game to give Columbia an early 8-4 lead heading into the first media timeout.
🎥 Watch @LanceMedow postgame with Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (@geronimorubio26) & head coach Jim Engles after tonight's win over LIU!#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/AwVTB2bgfE
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) November 22, 2023
The Lions defense was locked in out of the gate, holding LIU (0-4) without a field goal for nearly six straight minutes early in the first half, as Columbia grew its lead to 17-6.
With 7:53 remaining in the half, Noah Robledo capped a 10-0 Lions run with a three-pointer that extended Columbia's lead to 29-10 and forced the Sharks to call a timeout. The Lions shot a scorching 71 percent from deep through the first 12 minutes of the game.
LIU responded well out of the timeout, scoring seven straight points to cut the deficit to 12, but Zavian McLean put an end to the run with a fast break layup. The Lions would head into the locker room with a 41-25 lead after McLean scored again with just 10 ticks left on the clock. Columbia's defense held LIU to just 33 percent shooting in the opening half.
The Sharks benefitted from multiple Columbia fouls and turnovers to start the second half and went on a 6-0 blitz. LIU also held Columbia without a field goal for the first five minutes. The Sharks would pull to within six points with 11:32 left to play, but Robledo had the answer for the Lions, sinking a bucket from the wing.
LIU would cut its deficit to six three more times, including after back-to-back triples with just 5:20 left to play. A well-executed backdoor cut and finish from Rubio De La Rosa off a feed from Odunowo halted the run.
Brown would help close out the win, scoring seven points in the final four minutes, including multiple clutch free throws. The sophomore guard finished 9-13 from the free-throw line, contributing to Columbia's 28-39 mark from the charity stripe.
The Lions take on Maine on Saturday at 1 p.m. from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
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
LIU
CU
FG%
.413
.440
3FG%
.261
.294
FT%
.692
.718
RB
34
39
TO
16
14
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
13
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
9
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
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