The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Columbia Uses Two Second-Half Runs to Defeat Bucknell, 77-59
By Piper Rampage
Photo: Unknown / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Columbia maintained its lead throughout the game and used two second-half scoring runs to pull away from Bucknell for a 77-59 victory at Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The Lions improved to 3-1, while the Bison fell to 0-4.
Gerard O’Keefe led Columbia with 14 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point range. Connor Igoe added 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, recording the seventh double-double of his career. Josiah Cunningham also scored 12 points.
Aleksander Pachucki led all scorers with 19 points for Bucknell, making five three-pointers. Rocco Lamuno added 12 points, and Patrick O’Brien finished with 10.
Columbia took the lead for good in the opening minute and quickly established control. An 11-0 run pushed the Lions ahead 17-5, and they continued to build their advantage, reaching a 28-10 lead.
The Lions carried a 36-29 advantage into halftime. Bucknell made an early second-half push, cutting the deficit to 36-33 and bringing the game within three points.
Columbia answered with a 10-0 run that extended the lead to 50-35. The Bison faced another challenge as the Lions continued to maintain their advantage, and Columbia later produced a second 10-0 run to make the score 76-56 with 2:30 remaining.
The two runs helped Columbia turn a close stretch early in the second half into a comfortable final margin. The Lions’ wire-to-wire performance meant Bucknell never took the lead, despite trimming the deficit to three after halftime.
Igoe’s 10 rebounds and 12 points gave him his seventh career double-double, while O’Keefe led the team in scoring with 14. Cunningham also reached double figures with 12 points. Pachucki’s 19 points and five three-pointers led Bucknell, but the Bison were unable to sustain their second-half rally.
Columbia finished with an 18-point victory, improving to 3-1. Bucknell remained winless at 0-4 after the home loss.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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