Uphill Task for Lions in the Rockies

After enduring two defeats at the Florida Atlantic Invitational, perhaps all the Columbia women’s basketball team (2-6, 0-0 Ivy) needs to get back on track is some fresh air. The Lions will have the chance to test this theory this weekend, as they travel to Colorado for a two-game road trip. They will face both the University of Denver and the University of Northern Colorado for the first time.

In order to return home victorious, the Light Blue will need to improve its offensive output.

“We need to have some big games from our senior scorers,” head coach Paul Nixon said.

Those seniors, guards Brittney Carfora and Michele Gage, have already combined for 27 three-pointers this season. Carfora is currently second in scoring for the Lions with 9.4 points per game, while Gage is adding 6.9 points per contest. Nixon hopes that their outside shooting this weekend will combat Denver and Northern Colorado’s perimeter threats. At the same time, he wants to take advantage of Columbia’s strengths.
“I’m looking for our post play to really dominate,” he said.

This should not be too difficult, since freshman center Lauren Dwyer leads the Lions with 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Sophomore forward Chelsea Frazier is another formidable presence in the paint who, despite missing two games due to injury, is contributing 9.2 points and five rebounds per contest.

Despite its losing record, the University of Denver (2-4, 0-0 Sun Belt) will be a tough opponent for Columbia. Two of its losses came at the hands of ranked teams, Duke and Wyoming. Junior forward Nnenna Akotaobi scored 24 points for the Pioneers in a loss at Air Force and had 17 in the team’s latest game, a four-point defeat to Creighton.

The University of Northern Colorado (4-4, 0-0 Big Sky) is searching for a winning record after suffering a devastating loss to Air Force, 56-53. Head coach Jaime White is currently on a medical leave of absence and assistant Paige Sauer has taken over her duties for the Bears.

Once again, the Lions are playing back-to-back games to prepare for their grueling conference schedule. Thus far, Nixon has been pleased with his team’s ability to compete on consecutive days.

“I think they’ve improved steadily,” he said. “Saturday’s another test.”

Columbia will try for its first road win of the year at 9 p.m. tonight against Denver. Tip-off for Saturday’s game is also set for 9 p.m.