NEW YORK — Columbia men’s basketball used a strong second half to come away with a 75-56 victory over Maine on Saturday afternoon from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.
The Lions (5-2) limited the Black Bears (4-4) to 36.7 percent shooting and forced eight turnovers after halftime to pick up its fifth consecutive victory. The winning streak is the longest for the program since January 2016 when Columbia won six-straight.
Zine Eddine Bedri led Columbia with a game-high 14 points and added five rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa went 4-of-5 from downtown for 12 points to go with seven rebounds. Josh Odunowo chipped in 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting along with seven boards. Avery Brown pulled in a career-high seven rebounds.
“Everybody on the team can contribute and everybody on the team is contributing,” Odunowo said postgame. “That’s when we’re playing our best, when everybody is doing something. I think for opposing teams that’s really hard to guard and really hard to stop.”
LIONS WIN!!!!
That’s 5⃣ in a row for Columbia as Zine Eddine Bedri (@23Zineddine) leads the way with 14 points!#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/9k2MVHxAbd
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) November 25, 2023
Columbia shot 49.8 from the field, were 7-of-14 from 3-point range and held a 39-27 advantage on the glass. The Black Bears went 4-21 (19 percent) from beyond the arc and shot just five three throws on the day. The Lions went 10-12 from the free-throw line.
“We were able to play at a pace that made them (Maine) uncomfortable,” head coach Jim Engles said postgame. “Credit to our guys, credit to their guys. They’ve got some good wins and they’re a very good team. But I think it just worked out for us today.”
🎥 Watch @LanceMedow postgame with Josh Odunowo (@Slimhunchoo) & head coach Jim Engles after today’s win over Maine!#RoarLionRoar🦁 #OnlyHere🗽 pic.twitter.com/RzVx8Cb1zV
— Columbia Basketball (@CULionsMBB) November 25, 2023
After a back-and-forth start that featured six lead changes in the first 14 minutes, Columbia used a 9-0 run to take control, 32-24, with 3:54 before the half. The rally was sparked by a 3-point play by Noah Robledo and an active defense that came up with four steals and held the Bears scoreless for over five minutes. Robledo recorded two 3-point plays in the opening half.
Maine stayed within striking distance and came up with a turnover that went for a layup as time expired to trim the Lions margin to 34-30 at the half.
Columbia started the second half on a 13-3 run to open up a 46-33 advantage after a strong finish by Zavian McLean with 16:29 remaining. The Lions led by as many as 23 in the frame as they coasted to the victory.
Columbia outscored Maine in the second half, 41-26. The Lions led for over 35 minutes on Saturday.
Columbia closes out the November slate at home against Loyola (Md.) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Fans can enjoy 50 percent OFF men’s and women’s basketball tickets now through Monday, November 27. Discount applies to online orders only and some restrictions apply. Click here to purchase.
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