Columbia 63, LIU 53

Dec 10, 2011, 05:18 pm

NEW YORK -- John Daniels and Mark Cisco scored 12 points apiece and Columbia gave a strong defensive effort to defeat Long Island University 63-53 Saturday for its seventh consecutive victory.

Brian Barbour added 11 points and six assists for the Lions (7-4), who forced 23 turnovers by the Blackbirds (5-5) while committing 12 of their own. Meiko Lyles had four steals for Columbia.

Columbia's winning streak is its longest since the 1981-82 Lions won eight straight.

Columbia scored 10 of the first 14 points in the second half to lead 38-27, but Long Island narrowed the gap to 40-36. Noah Springwater then sank a 3-pointer for Columbia. After a layup by Arnold Mayorga of the Blackbirds, Steve Egee, who had just entered the game, nailed another 3-pointer to give the Lions a 46-38 lead.

Jamal Olasewere scored 18 points to lead Long Island, which had won three in a row.