March 5, 2005
NEW HAVEN, CONN. - Yale went on a 13-4 run over the final four minutes of the second period to defeat Columbia 81-68 in the Lions' season finale in New Haven, Conn.
With the loss Columbia fell to 12-15, 3-11 Ivy, while Yale improved to 11-15, 7-6 Ivy.
Columbia led by nine with 15 minutes left to play, but Sam Kaplan hit a layup to ignite a 9-0 run that tied the game 49-49 with 11:24 on the clock. Two free throws by Dalen Cuff (Palm Harbor, Fla.) put the Lions up two just seconds later.
There were ten ties and lead changes over the next four minutes, but trailing by one, 61-60 with just under six minutes to play, Alex Gamboa hit a three to put the Bulldogs up by two and Yale did not trail again.
A three by Brett Loscalzo (Ridgefield, Conn.) cut the lead to one with 4:28 remaining, but Caleb Holmes answered with a three of his own. Solid free throw shooting (8-of-8 in the final three minutes) iced the game for Yale.
Gamboa had a game-high 20 points, but Matt Preston (Wantagh, N.Y.) finished with 19 points to finish his Columbia career with 817 total points. Preston led the Lions with eight rebounds. Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Week John Baumann (Westport, Conn.) finished with 12 points in the loss.
Columbia out-rebounded the Bulldogs 37-30, but shot only 41 percent for the game to Yale's 50 percent.
