COLUMBIA VISITS FLORIDA GULF COAST IN NON-CONFERENCE FINALE FORT MYERS, Fla. (Interstat) — The Columbia Lions look to carry a four-game winning streak into the new year when they visit the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a non-conference women’s basketball matchup Monday at Alico Arena. Columbia (8-4) has found its rhythm in December, winning its last four contests by an average margin of 28.3 points before a tighter 70-65 victory over Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 20. The Lions are led by guard Marija Avlijas, who scored 21 points with five rebounds and four assists in that win. Over the last four games, Avlijas is averaging 9.8 points and 3.3 assists. She is supported by a balanced lineup. In the win over UTSA, Perri Page nearly posted a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Susie Rafiu added 13 points and five assists. Florida Gulf Coast (4-6) seeks consistency after a wildly divergent week. The Eagles suffered a 105-43 loss to South Carolina on Dec. 20, then responded with a 120-32 rout of non-Division I Fort Lauderdale two days later. In that lopsided win, Eve Alexander scored 24 points with seven rebounds in just 25 minutes. Her production has fluctuated, however, with just four points in the loss to the Gamecocks and limited minutes in recent games against Division I opponents. The Eagles’ season includes a notable 66-62 upset of Stanford on Nov. 28 but also several double-digit losses. This game represents the final non-conference test for both teams before league play begins in January. Columbia will open Ivy League play at home against Cornell on Jan. 3. Florida Gulf Coast starts ASUN Conference action at home against North Alabama on Jan. 1. Monday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. EST.