NEW YORK, NY–On Sunday evening, GMC Hoops took a bus trip up to Columbia University which a group of NJIT fans to see the Highlanders take on the Lions in the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT).
Things looked good early on as Columbia missed its first six shots of the game, and started out 2 of 11 from the floor while NJIT got two threes from Damon Lynn to jump out to a 15-12 lead with 7:46 remaining in the first half. Columbia then took over by putting together a 21-7 surge to take a 33-22 halftime lead.
Then, after NJIT opened the 2nd half with a 13-7 spurt to pull within 40-35 with 15:47 remaining, the Lions scored 15 of the next 22 points to go up 55-42 midway through the half. The Highlanders attempted to battle back with an 11-7 run that included a bucket by Ky Howard off a nice feed by EB’s Rob Ukawuba, and a three by Damon Lynn to close the gap to 62-53 at the 6:18 mark.
NJIT would get no closer though as Columbia scored 18 of the last 30 points of the game including a couple dunks to win the contest, 80-65. With the victory, Columbia improved to 24-10 and advanced to the Championship Game on Tuesday night against the Anteaters of UC Irvine. NJIT concluded its year at 20-15. Columbia’s Moado Lo led five different players in double figures with a game high 29 points while Damon Lynn led NJIT with 18. Below are game notes from the action:
First Half
15:33 left in the first half and NJIT leads Columbia 5-2 after a layup from the left side by the Lions. Columbia’s basket ends an 0 of 6 start to the contest.
11:54 left in the first half and NJIT leads Columbia 8-6 on two threes by Damon Lynn.
7:46 left in the first half and NJIT leads Columbia 15-12 thanks to an earlier three by Rob Ukawuba and a fadeaway jumper by Tim Coleman.
3:43 to go in the first half and Columbia now on a 10-0 run after a three from the right side gave the Lions a 22-15 lead.
23.8 seconds left in the first half and NJIT pulls within 30-22 after Rob Ukawuba flips in a basket off the glass as he falls to the floor.
0:00–End of the first half and Columbia leads NJIT, 33-22 after a trey from the right wing beat the buzzer. Over the last 7:46 of the half, Columbia outscored NJIT 21-7, and held the Highlanders to just two FGs. Columbia had started the game shooting 2 of 11 from the floor.
Second Half
15:47 left in the game and NJIT pulls within 40-35 after opening 2nd half on a 13-7 spurt that included scores by Damon Lynn, Tim Coleman, and Ky Howard.
11:57 left in the game and Columbia leads NJIT, 51-40 after scoring 11 of the last 16 points including a layup and a three.
7:54 left in the game and NJIT trails Columbia, 60-50 after a Ky Howard basket from the right side off of a feed by Rob Ukawuba.
6:18 left in the game and NJIT closes within single digits again at 62-53 on a trey from the left wing in transition by Damon Lynn.
3:16 left in the game and NJIT trails 69-58 after a three by Damon Lynn and a layup off a drive from the left side by Ky Howard.
2:53 left in the game and Columbia leads NJIT, 72-58 after a three from the left corner.
1:17 left in the game and NJIT calls time after a follow by Terrence Smith closes the gap to 76-63.
0:00–Despite this late score by Ky Howard, NJIT falls in CIT semifinals to Columbia, 80-65. Columbia’s Maodo Lo scored a season high 29 points. Five different Columbia players scored in double figures including: Alex Rosenberg (16 points), Grant Mullins (12 points), Luke Petrasek (11 points), and Lukas Meisner (11 points). Meisner also pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double in just 27 minutes of action. Damon Lynn led NJIT with 18 points on 6 threes. Ky Howard chipped in with 14 points and 6 assists. Tim Coleman added a double-double of 11 points and 14 boards while East Brunswick’s Rob Ukawuba contributed with 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 17 minutes of action.