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MBB vs. Fairfield
Columbia University Athletics / Matt Rostkowski
72
Fairfield Fairf 5-8,1-1 MAAC
85
Winner Columbia CU 11-1,0-0 Ivy League
Fairfield Fairf
5-8,1-1 MAAC
72
Final
85
Columbia CU
11-1,0-0 Ivy League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fairfield Fairf 41 31 72
Columbia CU 32 53 85

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Overcomes First Half Deficit to Defeat Fairfield, 85-72

Rubio De La Rosa goes off for all 27 points in the second half; Bedri posts double-double

NEW YORK — Columbia men's basketball erased a 10-point Fairfield lead in the second half to pull away with an 85-72 win over the Stags on Saturday from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.

The Lions (11-1) have won their first eight home games in a season for the first time since 1981-82.

Zine Eddine Bedri posted the first double-double of his career with 12 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. He's the first Lion with over 15 rebounds in a game since Ike Nweke and Patrick Harding pulled down 21 and 15, respectively, on Jan. 8, 2022 at Penn.

Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa exploded for all of his 27 points in the second half. He went 8-11 from the floor, 5-7 from downtown, and 6-6 from the free throw line to carry the Lions in the final 20 minutes.

All five Lions starters scored double-figures. Avery Brown had 16 points, Kenny Noland chipped in 15, and Mason Ritter added 12 in his first-career start.

After being down nine at the break, Columbia outscored Fairfield (5-8, 1-1) in the second half, 53-31. Noland's lay-up with 10:53 to go gave Columbia its first lead since less than four minutes into the game. The Lions then had a brief 58-56 lead a few minutes later before heading into the under-eight timeout tied.

Tied at 60-60 with 6:25 left, Columbia bursted out on an 14-0 run, capped by an and-one from Brown. The Lions didn't look back, leading by as much as 17 with under a minute to play.

After a 6-6 start to the game, Fairfield broke off a 12-3 run. The Stags held the lead through the rest of the first half. Columbia finished the half strong by converting on six of its final nine shots.

Columbia closes out 2024 with a road matchup at Rutgers on Monday. Tip-off from Jersey Mike's Arena is set for 5 p.m. and will air on the Big Ten Network.

Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on X, Instagram or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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