Brian Barbour against LMU

Kevin Powers reports on this week in Columbia Basketball.

The sports story of the weekend is the Men’s Basketball team, who won all three games this weekend at the Loyola Marymount Centennial Classic in Los Angeles, CA. The Lions success was fueled by a hot streak from behind the arc that only intensified as the weekend progressed. The basketball boys drained 12 threes against LMU and North Texas, and hit 14 today against La Sierra. Meiko Lyles and Brian Barbour were among the Lions with the hot hand over the three-day tournament. Barbour led the team with a career high 24 points against LMU and Lyles was 14-of-17 from behind the arc, hitting 12 consecutive three-pointers over the weekend. With the sweep, the Lions advance to 5-4 on the season and are currently riding a four-game winning streak. With all the recent success, who can remember the blips along the road?

Men’s Basketball (5-4):

Latest Result: The Lions sweep at Loyola Marymount Centennial Classic.

Highlights: The Men’s Basketball team headed to the Loyola Marymount Centennial Classic in Los Angeles, CA with confidence this weekend after beating up on Swathmore last Saturday 104-42. In their first of three games of the weekend on Friday, the Lions took on the host LMU, who beat #17 UCLA and #23 Saint Louis earlier this season. The Lions, however, weren’t intimidated by the setting, stunning the home team in the first half and leading by as much as 18. Columbia maintained a large lead for much of the game, helped by success from behind the arc, hitting 12 three-pointers on the night. The Lions had a response for every LMU run on Friday, answering a 9-0 LMU streak with back-to-back three-pointers around the six minute mark. Despite the lead, LMU rallied late in the game with three consecutive steals, cutting the lead to six with just 37 seconds left on the clock. The Lions held on, though, sinking free throws in the final seconds of the game to secure the win 69-61. Junior Brian Barbour led the Lions with a career high 24 points in this upset win over the tournament host.

The Lions continued their success on Saturday, opening strong in the first half against North Texas and leading by as many as 12. The Lions were once again on fire from behind the arc, draining another 12 three-pointers in the game. Though the Lions led the entire game, North Texas rallied in the second half, cutting the lead to seven with under five minutes remaining. Despite the last minute pressure, the Lions were able to close out the game with consistency from the free throw line, winning their fourth straight 72-57.

The Lions continued their hot streak from downtown today, hitting 14 threes against La Sierra to finish the weekend with three straight wins. Mark Cisco had 14 points on the day and Meiko Lyles led all players with 16 points as the Lions downed La Siera 78-56.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions head home to take on Holy Cross on Tuesday at 7pm in Levin.

Women’s Basketball (1-7):

Latest Result: The Lions fall to Hawaii 66-55.

Highlights: The Lions took on Hawaii on Saturday after losing to San Diego 54-32 on Thursday. Columbia opened the game strong, leading by as many as 6 in the first half with help from sophomore Taylor Ward, who hit four three-pointers before the break. The Lions ended the half down by five, trailing 33-28. Hawaii extended their lead early in the second half, going on a 11-1 run in the opening three minutes. The Lions rallied to stay in the game, cutting the lead to six with just over eight minutes remaining, but that was closest they would get. Ward led all players in the game with a career-high 20 points. With the loss, the Lions fall to 1-7 on the season.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions face Fairfield on Thursday on the road.