Yale (10-13) At Columbia (12-12)
GAME NOTES: The Columbia Lions continue their four-game homestand tonight, as they take on the Yale Bulldogs in Ivy League play at Levien Gym. The Lions kicked off their home swing last night, dropping a 67-52 decision to Brown. The loss snapped Columbia's four-game win streak, as it fell to an even 12-12 overall and 5-4 in conference play. Up next for the Lions will be a bout against Harvard next Friday. As for Yale, it is in the midst a four-game road swing that is set to conclude tonight. After opening up their current road trip with a 67-56 win at Princeton, the Bulldogs were defeated at Penn (78-65) and most recently Cornell (85-65) last night. With the setbacks, the team dipped to 10-13 overall and 4-5 in Ancient Eight play. The all-time series between the two programs is led by Columbia, 120-93, and that includes an 71-58 triumph in a meeting earlier this month.
The Bulldogs lost the battle on the boards, 37-26, and their 11 turnovers led to 15 points for Cornell in an 85-65 loss last night. Yale actually held a 39-36 lead at the half, but Cornell stormed back in the second stanza, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor compared to a dismal 28.6 percent effort by the Bulldogs. Eric Flato guided the team in defeat with 13 points and three assists, while Matt Kyle and Ross Morin chipped in with 11 points apiece. For the season, Flato leads the squad in scoring at 12.4 ppg and he is also dishing out 2.7 apg. Morin is next in order at 10.1 ppg and he is collecting 5.4 rpg. Overall, the Bulldogs are tuning in 69.3 ppg on 45.7 percent shooting from the field.
The Lions hit on only 39.6 percent of their attempts from the floor and just 6-of-23 from long range, as they were defeated by Brown last night. The team was also outscored at the charity stripe by a decisive 24-4 margin. Niko Scott led the team in the loss with 24 points and six boards, while John Baumann had nine points and eight rebounds. For the season, Baumann is the only player on the team averaging in double figures with 15.4 ppg. He is also pulling down 6.8 rpg to head the squad in that department as well. As a whole, the Lions are producing 64.0 ppg on 41.5 percent shooting from the field.
Columbia won the first meeting with Yale, so there is no reason to believe it can't sweep the series at home tonight. Go with the Lions behind a big rebound effort from Baumann.
Predicted OutcomeColumbia 69, Yale 64Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.
