Lions Try for Fourth Win of Year at Home

After suffering a 10-point loss at Drake last weekend, the Columbia women’s basketball team will look to get back on a winning track when it hosts the University of Denver. The Lions (3-4) hope for continued success on their home court, where they are currently 3-1.
In order to come away with a victory on Saturday, Columbia will need to limit its turnovers. The Lions gave the ball up 21 times against Drake, which led to 18 points for the Bulldogs.
“We want to really do a much better job of taking care of the basketball,” head coach Paul Nixon said.
While turnovers have often plagued Columbia, the Light Blue has turned in strong efforts on the boards. Sophomore forward Judie Lomax averages a team-high 13 rebounds per game and has led the Lions on the boards in all of their contests this season. Last year, Columbia’s best rebounder only pulled down 6.1 boards per game.
Lomax also leads the Light Blue offensively, with 12.3 points per contest. She earned Ivy League Player of the Week honors on Dec. 1 after recording double-doubles against both Wagner and Drake. Her 19 rebounds against Wagner won her the seventh-best single game performance in the history of Columbia women’s basketball.
The Lions will also threaten with junior guard Danielle Browne, who leads Columbia with 13 steals on the year. In addition to her defensive capabilities, Browne is the Lions’ second-highest scorer with 8.9 points per game.
Nixon is confident that his team’s offense will improve after producing just 59 points at Drake.
“We’re starting to do a better job of being in sync offensively,” he said. “We’ve definitely had an opportunity to really start ironing out those wrinkles.”
Denver (2-3) has a subpar record, but is coming off a convincing 69-53 victory at Colorado State. The Pioneers are led by junior forward Ashly Robinson, who averages a team-best 11 points per contest. In addition, she grabs 5.2 boards per game. Sophomore guard Britteni Rice could also pose a challenge for Columbia, as she poured in a game-high 19 points against Colorado State.
The Lions will try for their fourth victory of the season at Levien Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.