CU Offense Runs Over Big Red

Columbia’s offense started with a three-pointer from sophomore point guard Sara Yee and did not let up as the Lions (4-12, 1-1 Ivy) rolled to a 76-59 win over the visiting Cornell Big Red (9-6, 1-1 Ivy). Despite facing the only team in the Ancient Eight with a winning record, the Light Blue never looked like the underdog in its convincing victory.

Cornell came out as cold as an Ithaca winter, and the Big Red opened the game with two airballs. Junior forward Jeomi Maduka, Cornell’s leading scorer, was nearly silenced by the Columbia defense, and was unable to get anything going throughout the game. She hit only three field goals and fouled out with 5:07 left to play.

Across the court, the Columbia offense hit on all cylinders. Sophomore forward Chelsea Frazier led the Lions with a career-high 22 points, taking some of the scoring burden off of freshman center Lauren Dwyer’s shoulders. Eight other players scored for Columbia as the Lions shot 45.8 percent from the field, 45 percent from three-point range, and hit 13 of 20 free throws.

Columbia led by as many as 17 points during the first period but entered halftime with only a five-point advantage due to a 9-3 run by Cornell in the final three minutes of the first half. Still, the Lions were not about to hand over a win.

“We let them back in, but we didn’t shut down,” said senior guard Michele Gage.

The Light Blue scored the first five points of the second half as it cruised to its first league win of the season. Columbia extended its lead to 24 points several times during the final 20 minutes of play.

According to head coach Paul Nixon, Columbia has been controlling the pace of the game, which gave the Lions both this weekend’s level of play and their ability to run the fast break frequently.

“We dictate the tempo, we win by double figures,” he said. “It’s something that our team is starting to understand.”

The Light Blue grabbed 24 defensive rebounds, including six apiece from Gage and sophomore guard Danielle Browne, and scored 19 points off Cornell turnovers.

Columbia continues conference play at home this weekend, as the Lions gear up to face the Yale Bulldogs on Friday night and the Brown Bears on Saturday.