Sunday, December 3
Durham, N.H.
12:00 P.M.
Columbia University
at
New Hampshire
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Men’s Basketball Travels to New Hampshire Sunday; Hosts Lafayette Tuesday
12/2/2023 12:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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Lions seek seventh straight win for first time since December 2011
DURHAM, N.H. — Columbia men's basketball aims for its seventh straight win when it travels to New Hampshire for a matchup with the Wildcats on Sunday at 12 p.m. before returning home to host Lafayette on Tuesday at 7 p.m. from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
Sunday's matchup between the Lions (6-2) and Wildcats (5-3) can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+ while Tuesday's matchup between the Lions and Leopards (1-7) can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+.
Opening Tip-Off
The Lions earned a 69-57 come-from-behind victory over Loyola Maryland on Wednesday at home after exploding on a 24-5 run over the final nine minutes of the game.
Columbia's six-game winning streak is the longest for the program since January 2016. With a win Sunday, the Lions will have won seven straight games for the first time since Dec. 2011.
Wednesday night's win was Columbia's fifth home victory of November. The last time the Lions won five home games in the same calendar month was March 2016. It's also the first time Columbia has recorded six wins in the same calendar month since January 2016.
News/Notes
Last Time Out
The Lions earned their sixth straight win for the first time since January 2016 on Wednesday night in a 69-57 come-from-behind victory over Loyola Maryland at home. Columbia erased a seven-point deficit by exploding with a 24-5 run over the last nine minutes of the game to earn the win. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa poured in 16 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 18. Avery Brown (15 points) and Kenny Noland (13 points) rounded out Columbia's trio of double-figure scorers. Blair Thompson tallied a career-high and team-best 10 rebounds.
In The New York Groove
Over the last seven contests, Columbia is averaging 80.7 points per game. The Lions have the largest scoring margin (14.9) and most assists (141) in the Ivy League. Columbia also leads the conference in opponent turnovers (133), turnover margin (3.50), steals (84), and steals per game (10.5). The Lions lead the league and rank 18th in the country in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (26.2). Columbia is 6-0 when it outrebounds and shoots better from the field than its opponents. Prior to Wednesday's win, the Lions had scored at least 75 points in six straight games for the first time since Jan. 20-Feb. 10, 2018.
Fast Facts
The Lions are one of four teams in the country that return more than 90% of their scoring this season, along with Northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and St. Bonaventure. Columbia is also one of 11 teams in the country to return at least 70 percent of its points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks from 2022-23.
Well-Balanced Attack
Through the first eight games this season, Columbia has had four players finish with double-figures scoring four times. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (13.4) and Avery Brown (11.3)are averaging double-figures scoring to start the year, while Kenny Noland and Blair Thompson are all averaging over eight points per game.
Free Throw Frenzy
Columbia is 127-159 (79.9 percent) from the free throw line this season. That mark is second in the Ivy League and eighth in the country three weeks into the season. Columbia has the most made free throws in the conference. Zavian McLean (15-17), Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (28-30), Noah Robledo (9-10) are all above 88 percent from the charity stripe.
Columbia went 28-39 from the line on Nov. 21 against LIU. It was the most attempted free throws by the Lions since Feb. 23, 2018 vs. Brown and the highest mark in head coach Jim Engles' tenure.
Lions Trending Upward
Following a win over Temple on Nov. 18, it was the first time Columbia's record has been over .500 since Feb. 4, 2017.
De La Rosa Dominance
Junior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa has built off his strong sophomore campaign to start this season. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native had scored in double-figures in nine straight games dating back to last season before dropping eight points on Nov. 15. He has scored double-figures in seven out of eight games this season. De La Rosa played a strong all-around game in 2022-23, leading the Lions and ranking among the Ivy League leaders in scoring (13.6), rebounding (5.6) and steals (1.4). His 713 points through his first two seasons are the third-most all-time in program history for a player's first two years.
De La Rosa recorded 22 double-figures scoring games last season, including six straight to close out the year. He scored in double-figures in 12 out of the team's 14 Ivy League games last season. De La Rosa was one of four Lions to play in all 29 games last season and Avery Brown was the only other Lion to start in every game. De La Rosa's 88.8 percent mark from the free throw line last season led the Ivy League and ranked No. 16 in the country. His mark from the charity stripe also ranked third all-time in a single season behind Brian Barbour, who did it twice (.917, 2010-11 and .901, 2011-12).
Scouting New Hampshire
The Wildcats enter Sunday's contest at 5-3 with their most recent win over Sacred Heart on Thursday. Clarence Daniels leads the team with 21 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Ahmad Robinson and Jaxson Baker are also averaging double-figures scoring for New Hampshire. The Wildcats were picked to finish eighth in the America East Preseason Poll.
Series History - New Hampshire
The Lions and Wildcats meet for the fifth time ever on Sunday. Columbia is 4-0 in the series and last defeated the Wildcats last season at home, 56-52.
Scouting Lafayette
The Leopards' lone win of the season so far came over Wilkes on Nov. 19. Justin Vander Baan (9.9 points per game) and Kyle Jenkins (9.0 points per game) are the team's leading scorers.
Series History - Lafayette
The Lions and Leopards meet for the 35th time on Tuesday. Columbia is 15-29 against Lafayette and earned a 57-45 win last season. Lafayette took the most recent meeting in New York City in 2021, 73-50.
Up Next
Following matchups with New Hampshire and Lafayette, Columbia tips off with FDU next Monday night on the road at 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row.
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.
Sunday's matchup between the Lions (6-2) and Wildcats (5-3) can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+ while Tuesday's matchup between the Lions and Leopards (1-7) can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+.
Opening Tip-Off
The Lions earned a 69-57 come-from-behind victory over Loyola Maryland on Wednesday at home after exploding on a 24-5 run over the final nine minutes of the game.
🎥 ICYMI: Lions come from behind with explosive 24-5 run to end the game for their sixth straight win‼️#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/Hof1wjuqTp
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) November 30, 2023
Columbia's six-game winning streak is the longest for the program since January 2016. With a win Sunday, the Lions will have won seven straight games for the first time since Dec. 2011.
Wednesday night's win was Columbia's fifth home victory of November. The last time the Lions won five home games in the same calendar month was March 2016. It's also the first time Columbia has recorded six wins in the same calendar month since January 2016.
🎥 Watch @LanceMedow postgame with Avery Brown (@_averybrown3) & head coach Jim Engles after tonight's win over Loyola!#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/JaywDeguYk
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) November 30, 2023
News/Notes
Last Time Out
The Lions earned their sixth straight win for the first time since January 2016 on Wednesday night in a 69-57 come-from-behind victory over Loyola Maryland at home. Columbia erased a seven-point deficit by exploding with a 24-5 run over the last nine minutes of the game to earn the win. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa poured in 16 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 18. Avery Brown (15 points) and Kenny Noland (13 points) rounded out Columbia's trio of double-figure scorers. Blair Thompson tallied a career-high and team-best 10 rebounds.
In The New York Groove
Over the last seven contests, Columbia is averaging 80.7 points per game. The Lions have the largest scoring margin (14.9) and most assists (141) in the Ivy League. Columbia also leads the conference in opponent turnovers (133), turnover margin (3.50), steals (84), and steals per game (10.5). The Lions lead the league and rank 18th in the country in opponent 3-point field goal percentage (26.2). Columbia is 6-0 when it outrebounds and shoots better from the field than its opponents. Prior to Wednesday's win, the Lions had scored at least 75 points in six straight games for the first time since Jan. 20-Feb. 10, 2018.
Fast Facts
The Lions are one of four teams in the country that return more than 90% of their scoring this season, along with Northern Iowa, Wisconsin, and St. Bonaventure. Columbia is also one of 11 teams in the country to return at least 70 percent of its points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks from 2022-23.
Well-Balanced Attack
Through the first eight games this season, Columbia has had four players finish with double-figures scoring four times. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (13.4) and Avery Brown (11.3)are averaging double-figures scoring to start the year, while Kenny Noland and Blair Thompson are all averaging over eight points per game.
Free Throw Frenzy
Columbia is 127-159 (79.9 percent) from the free throw line this season. That mark is second in the Ivy League and eighth in the country three weeks into the season. Columbia has the most made free throws in the conference. Zavian McLean (15-17), Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (28-30), Noah Robledo (9-10) are all above 88 percent from the charity stripe.
Columbia went 28-39 from the line on Nov. 21 against LIU. It was the most attempted free throws by the Lions since Feb. 23, 2018 vs. Brown and the highest mark in head coach Jim Engles' tenure.
Lions Trending Upward
Following a win over Temple on Nov. 18, it was the first time Columbia's record has been over .500 since Feb. 4, 2017.
De La Rosa Dominance
Junior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa has built off his strong sophomore campaign to start this season. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native had scored in double-figures in nine straight games dating back to last season before dropping eight points on Nov. 15. He has scored double-figures in seven out of eight games this season. De La Rosa played a strong all-around game in 2022-23, leading the Lions and ranking among the Ivy League leaders in scoring (13.6), rebounding (5.6) and steals (1.4). His 713 points through his first two seasons are the third-most all-time in program history for a player's first two years.
De La Rosa recorded 22 double-figures scoring games last season, including six straight to close out the year. He scored in double-figures in 12 out of the team's 14 Ivy League games last season. De La Rosa was one of four Lions to play in all 29 games last season and Avery Brown was the only other Lion to start in every game. De La Rosa's 88.8 percent mark from the free throw line last season led the Ivy League and ranked No. 16 in the country. His mark from the charity stripe also ranked third all-time in a single season behind Brian Barbour, who did it twice (.917, 2010-11 and .901, 2011-12).
Scouting New Hampshire
The Wildcats enter Sunday's contest at 5-3 with their most recent win over Sacred Heart on Thursday. Clarence Daniels leads the team with 21 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Ahmad Robinson and Jaxson Baker are also averaging double-figures scoring for New Hampshire. The Wildcats were picked to finish eighth in the America East Preseason Poll.
Series History - New Hampshire
The Lions and Wildcats meet for the fifth time ever on Sunday. Columbia is 4-0 in the series and last defeated the Wildcats last season at home, 56-52.
Scouting Lafayette
The Leopards' lone win of the season so far came over Wilkes on Nov. 19. Justin Vander Baan (9.9 points per game) and Kyle Jenkins (9.0 points per game) are the team's leading scorers.
Series History - Lafayette
The Lions and Leopards meet for the 35th time on Tuesday. Columbia is 15-29 against Lafayette and earned a 57-45 win last season. Lafayette took the most recent meeting in New York City in 2021, 73-50.
Up Next
Following matchups with New Hampshire and Lafayette, Columbia tips off with FDU next Monday night on the road at 7 p.m. on NEC Front Row.
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.
Players Mentioned
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