Brown Rolls Columbia for Third Win in a Row

Brown University Press Release

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Brown men’s basketball team (13-10, 5-5) picked up an 86-61 win over Columbia (12-11, 1-9) on Friday evening inside the Pizzitola Sports Center.

“Always pleased to win in this league, it’s never easy.” Head Men’s Basketball Coaching Chair Mike Martin ’04 said. “Every game is such a challenge and we shot the ball pretty well tonight and obviously we started the game terrific on offense. For a while they were matching us and eventually we locked in and got enough stops we were able to separate ourselves.”

The Bears opened the game shooting 9-14 from the floor, they finished the first half shooting 19-35 from the field and 4-12 from three-point range, 14 of Brown’s 19 field goals were assisted.

Brown led by as much as 16 in the opening 20 minutes, all eight players who saw the floor in the first half scored. Landon Lewis scored a team-high eight first half points, he also grabbed five rebounds.

The Bears took a 42-31 lead into the halftime intermission and quickly extended its lead to 21 points with 16:31 remaining in regulation. Brown led by as much as 28 in the second half, it was its largest lead of the game.

Overall, Brown shot 35-70 from the floor while Alexander Lesburt Jr. scored a team-high 20 points on 7-13 shooting from the field and 6-11 shooting from three-point range. It was the fourth time this season Lesburt Jr. has connected on five or more three-pointers; he also had five rebounds and four assists.

Malcolm Wrisby-Jefferson chipped in with 14 points on 7-10 shooting from the floor, he also had five rebounds and three assists.

The Bears had 23 assists on 35 made field goals, it was the fifth time this season Brown has had 20 or more assists.

Brown will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 22 when they welcome Cornell. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the Pizzitola Sports Center.