Though the Columbia men’s basketball team suffered a 59-53 loss in its season opener at DePaul, there were many positive indicators for the upcoming season.
The Light Blue’s health, a major issue last season, appears to be just a minor one for now. Junior forward Brian Grimes, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL, started for Columbia and played a team-high 33 minutes while also posting a double-double. Grimes went 5-of-11 from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds in his first game for Columbia.
Senior guards Patrick Foley and Niko Scott, who were both hampered by injuries late last season, also started and saw significant playing time. Foley went 4-of-11 for nine points and notched two assists, two rebounds, and a steal, while Scott had three points, two assists, and a rebound. Both appeared a little rusty as Foley made only one of three free throws, well below last year’s 82.2 percent from the charity stripe. Scott went 1-of-5 from the field, but neither he or Foley appeared to be nagged by injuries.
The only question mark was junior forward Asenso Ampim, who did not play at all in the first half. However, Ampim was aggressive in the 14 minutes he played in the second half, pulling down five rebounds and recording three points on 1-2 shooting.
If Grimes and Ampim remain healthy, they will likely start in the frontcourt. However, head coach Joe Jones was clearly experimenting with his frontcourt options in this game, as all but two players—junior center Max Craig, who is out with an injury, and sophomore forward Blaise Staab—saw time.
Freshman John Daniels started at forward for the Lions and scored three points and grabbed one rebound in 12 minutes of play. Center Mark Cisco was another freshman that saw significant time, notching four points and five boards in his first 12 minutes as a collegiate player.
The backcourt seems to be more set as tri-captains Foley, Scott, and Kevin Bulger started with sophomore guards Noruwa Agho and Steve Egee coming off the bench.
Agho tied with Grimes for team-highs in points and minutes—13 and 33, respectively—while also recording two rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
With no significant players injured, the Light Blue was able to keep the game close. Though the Blue Demons opened the game with a 9-3 run, the Lions responded with a 10-3 run of their own, taking a 13-12 lead on a Foley jumper with 9:10 remaining in the first half. Columbia built its lead to four, its largest of the game, but DePaul then went on a 17-7 run to close out the half with a 31-25 lead.
The Lions continued to fight in the second half, matching the Blue Demons' 28 points and coming within three points with just over a minute and a half to play. Down 54-51, Foley took and missed an open three, giving DePaul the ball with 35 seconds to play.
Three free throws by senior guard Will Walker and a dunk by sophomore forward Eric Wallace gave the Blue Demons the 59-53 victory.
Junior forward Mac Koshwal led DePaul with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Columbia’s normally stout defense was a little lacking last night, as the Blue Demons managed to shoot 54.8 percent from the floor. The Lions were also outrebounded 33 to 28. However, Columbia managed to force 15 turnovers, while only turning over the ball 10 times themselves and make six steals.
The Light Blue will return home this Friday to take on Longwood.
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