ITHACA, N.Y. (Interstat) — Blair Thompson scored 26 points to lead Columbia to a 104-99 victory over Cornell in an Ivy League men’s basketball game Monday night at Newman Arena. The Lions and Big Red were tied at 56 at halftime before Columbia outscored Cornell 48-43 after the break. Kenny Noland added 23 points for Columbia, which improved to 12-3. Cooper Noard scored 23 points for Cornell, which fell to 7-7. An announced crowd of 1,444 watched as the Lions, projected as underdogs, secured the road win.

ITHACA, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a game that defied pregame projections and featured a staggering 203 combined points, Blair Thompson scored 26 points to lead Columbia to a 104-99 victory over Cornell in an Ivy League men’s basketball showdown Monday night at Newman Arena. The Lions, who entered as underdogs, improved to 12-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Big Red fell to 7-7 and 0-1. The total score easily surpassed the over/under line of 169. The contest was a relentless offensive display from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets at a blistering pace. The first half ended in a 56-56 deadlock, setting the stage for a frantic second half where Columbia’s offensive execution and key defensive stops down the stretch proved decisive. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minutes with Columbia clinging to a narrow lead. After Cornell’ Cooper Noard converted a layup and a free throw to cut the deficit to 88-86 with just over a minute remaining, the Lions responded with a devastating 7-0 run in under 30 seconds to seal the victory. The burst began when Miles Franklin found Blair Thompson for a dunk with 47 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Thompson stole the ball from Cornell’s Josh Baldwin and fed Kenny Noland for a layup. Following another Cornell turnover, Noland struck again, draining a 3-pointer off an assist from Ryan Soulis to push the Columbia lead to 95-86 with 46 seconds remaining, effectively putting the game out of reach. Thompson, a 6-foot-7 forward from New York City, was the catalyst for Columbia, adding two assists and a steal in 35 minutes. Kenny Noland supported him with 23 points and three assists. Hampton Sanders provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 17 points, including three 3-pointers, in just 14 minutes of action. Cornell was led by Cooper Noard’s 23 points, five assists and a block. Jake Fiegen added 17 points, while Josh Baldwin and Ian Imegwu each contributed 15 points. Imegwu, who played only four minutes, was remarkably efficient, hitting three 3-pointers in his brief stint. Despite the loss, Cornell showcased a balanced and potent attack, with four players scoring in double figures. However, the Big Red could not match Columbia’s closing intensity, as the Lions scored 48 points in the second half to Cornell’s 43. The game was a significant departure from statistical expectations. National Statistical’s ELO system had given Cornell an 83.5 percent probability to win, and the Big Red were installed as a one-point pregame favorite. A crowd of 1,444 at Newman Arena witnessed the offensive spectacle, which saw both teams shoot efficiently from the floor, the 3-point line and the free-throw line, though specific percentages were not provided. Columbia will look to build on this key conference road win when it hosts Harvard on Saturday. Cornell aims to rebound at home against Dartmouth the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in New York City on Feb. 7.

ITHACA, N.Y. (Interstat) — A surging Columbia men’s basketball team, off to its best start in years, will put its 11-3 record on the line Monday night when it visits rival Cornell to open Ivy League play at Newman Arena. The Lions have won eight of their last nine games, including a dominant 106-51 rout of Penn St.-Abington on Dec. 31. Their non-conference schedule featured notable road wins at North Florida and Fairfield. Cornell (7-6) enters league action after a record-setting 133-65 victory over Alfred St. on Friday, but has struggled against high-major competition, including a loss at Michigan State. A key matchup will feature Columbia’s versatile forward Connor Igoe against Cornell’s high-scoring guard Gioacchino Panzini. Igoe is coming off a triple-double in just 15 minutes against Penn St.-Abington (11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) and has been a consistent all-around contributor. Panzini erupted for 26 points in 18 minutes in the Alfred St. win, though his production has varied against tougher opponents. Columbia’s success has been built on balanced scoring and defense, holding opponents to an average of 68.2 points per game during its current hot streak. Gerard O’Keefe (19 points vs. Penn St.-Abington) and Richard Nweke provide additional firepower. Cornell counters with a potent offense that averages over 90 points per game, led by Panzini and supported by Adam Hinton and DaMaryon Fishburn, who nearly recorded a triple-double Friday. This game marks the first of a home-and-home series between the programs, with the rematch set for Feb. 7 in New York. The Ivy League opener presents a stark contrast in styles: Columbia’s measured efficiency against Cornell’s fast-paced attack. For the Big Red, protecting home court is critical to keep pace in the conference race, while the Lions aim to validate their strong non-conference record with a statement road win to begin league play. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Monday.