Columbia defeats Cornell 99-104

Columbia Edges Cornell in Thrilling Conference Showdown

In a back-and-forth battle that had the Newman Arena crowd on the edge of their seats, Columbia (away) emerged victorious with a 104-99 win over Cornell (home) in conference action.

The game was a tale of two halves, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. The score was knotted at 56-56 at halftime, setting the stage for a thrilling second half that would see both teams push their limits on both ends of the court.

In the end, it was Columbia's depth and resilience that proved to be the difference-maker. Led by Blair Thompson's 26 points, including two clutch three-pointers in the final minutes, the Lions outscored Cornell by five points to claim the win.

Thompson's performance was just one aspect of a balanced effort from Columbia, which shot 55.0% from the field and made 28 of 33 free throws. Ryan Soulis added six assists and seven rebounds off the bench, while Miles Franklin chipped in with 13 points and seven boards.

For Cornell, Cooper Noard led the way with 23 points, including two three-pointers of his own. Kaspar Sepp was also a key contributor, grabbing seven rebounds and providing four points in support of Noard's effort.

Despite the loss, the Big Red showed signs of life throughout the game, particularly in the first half when they outscored Columbia by 13 points to take an early lead. However, Cornell's inability to extend its advantage beyond halftime would ultimately prove costly.

In a league where every conference win is crucial, this victory for Columbia marks a significant turning point in their season. With the win, the Lions improve to [insert record] and will look to build on this momentum as they head into their next test.

For Cornell, the loss stings, but the team has shown its ability to bounce back from setbacks throughout the year. As they gear up for their next challenge, the Big Red will be focused on refocusing their efforts and making a push for the playoffs.

Game Stats:

* Field Goals: 33/60 (55.0%) Columbia, 33/75 (44.0%) Cornell

* 2-Point FG: 23/37 (62.2%) Columbia, 18/42 (42.9%) Cornell

* 3-Point FG: 10/23 (43.0%) Columbia, 15/33 (45.0%) Cornell

* Free Throws: 28/33 (85.0%) Columbia, 18/20 (90.0%) Cornell

Advanced Stats:

* eFG%: 63.3% Columbia, 54.0% Cornell

* True Shooting%: 69.8% Columbia, 59.1%

* TO Ratio: 19.5% Columbia, 14.6% Cornell