NCAAB · Final

Columbia Lions Edge Cornell Big Red in High-Scoring Affair

104

Monday, January 5, 2026, 5:00 PM ET · Newman Arena

Columbia Lions 104, Cornell Big Red 99, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Columbia Lions vs Cornell Big Red?

Columbia Lions beat Cornell Big Red 104-99 at Newman Arena on January 5, 2026.

Who was favored in Columbia Lions vs Cornell Big Red?

Cornell Big Red were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -185 (about 65% implied). The underdog won.

In a thrilling contest at Newman Arena, the Columbia Lions defeated the Cornell Big Red 104-99, showcasing their strong form and offensive prowess. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it featured two teams with contrasting records, with Columbia entering the game at 12-3 and Cornell at 7-7. The Lions' victory not only extended their winning streak to three games but also solidified their position as a formidable opponent in the league.

Cornell's recent form had been a mix of highs and lows, with a record of 6-4 over their last ten games. They had managed to score an impressive average of 96.0 points per game during this stretch, but their defense allowed an average of 84.8 points, indicating a tendency towards high-scoring games. The Big Red had recently secured a dominant 133-65 victory against Alfred State Pioneers, but they also faced defeats against tougher opponents like Michigan State Spartans, where they lost 97-114.

In contrast, Columbia's recent performance was marked by an 8-2 record in their last ten games, averaging 86.5 points scored while allowing only 67.7 points. Their ability to maintain a strong defensive front was evident, especially in their latest game, where they triumphed over Penn State Abington Nittany Lions 106-51. This defensive strength, coupled with their offensive capabilities, made them a challenging opponent for Cornell.

When considering home and away performance, Cornell had a solid home record of 4-0, while their away record stood at 2-4. Conversely, Columbia was strong on the road with a 3-2 away record, complemented by a perfect 5-0 home record. This disparity in performance could have played a role in the outcome of this game, as Columbia managed to leverage their experience and skills effectively.

Historically, Columbia had the upper hand in their recent meetings with Cornell, winning both encounters in the 2025 season. The first match on January 11, 2025, ended with a score of 94-83 in favor of Columbia, followed by a decisive 100-81 victory on March 8, 2025. This trend continued in their latest clash, as Columbia once again emerged victorious.

The injury report indicated that both teams were relatively healthy, allowing them to field their best players. This availability was crucial in a high-stakes game where offensive execution and defensive stops were essential.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Cornell as the favorites with a spread of -3.5, while the total points line was set at 170.5. The odds reflected the expectation of a high-scoring game, which ultimately came to fruition with both teams combining for 203 points.

Conditions during the game were conducive to scoring, with both teams displaying an aggressive offensive strategy. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a series of impressive scoring plays, including a pivotal three-point jumper by Ian Imegwu that highlighted Columbia's ability to stretch the floor and capitalize on their shooting opportunities.

In the closing moments, Columbia maintained their lead with crucial free throws from Blair Thompson, who contributed significantly to the Lions' success. His performance, alongside key layups from teammates like Jake Fiegen and Cooper Noard, underscored the collective effort that led to their victory.

The match concluded with Columbia's win probability at 0.0 for Cornell, indicating a clear dominance in the final moments of the game. This result not only boosts Columbia's confidence but also places them firmly in the conversation as a contender in the league, while Cornell will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities moving forward.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	COR -3.5	170.5 o -112 / u -108	Columbia Lions +154 · Cornell Big Red -185

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsCooper Noard23Cornell Big Red
AssistsCooper Noard5Cornell Big Red
ReboundsKaspar Sepp7Cornell Big Red
PointsBlair Thompson26Columbia Lions
AssistsRyan Soulis6Columbia Lions
ReboundsMiles Franklin7Columbia Lions

Recent form

Cornell Big Red

Last 10: 6-4Streak W196 scored · 84.8 allowed per game4-0 at home

W133-65vs Alfred State PioneersJan 2
L97-114at Michigan State SpartansDec 30
W83-75at UAlbany Great DanesDec 21
L90-93at Samford BulldogsDec 8
L80-93at Towson TigersDec 4
L81-99at George Mason PatriotsDec 3
W101-72at Bucknell BisonNov 30
W114-70vs Misericordia CougarsNov 26
W95-94vs Colgate RaidersNov 21
W86-73vs Army Black KnightsNov 19

Columbia Lions

Last 10: 8-2Streak W286.5 scored · 67.7 allowed per game3-2 away

W106-51vs Penn State Abington Nittany LionsDec 31
W90-82at North Florida OspreysDec 28
L56-74at California Golden BearsDec 21
L73-77at Stony Brook SeawolvesDec 10
W93-65vs UAlbany Great DanesDec 6
W72-70vs Hofstra PrideDec 4
W92-44vs Sarah Lawrence GryphonsNov 29
W106-77at Fairfield StagsNov 27
W95-70vs Longwood LancersNov 23
W82-67at Lehigh Mountain HawksNov 21

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Yale	24-7	-	11-3
Harvard	17-12	1	10-4
Pennsylvania	18-12	2	9-5
Cornell	15-13	3	8-6
Columbia	16-12	6	5-9
Dartmouth	11-16	6	5-9
Princeton	9-20	6	5-9
Brown	9-18	8	3-11

Box score

Stat	Columbia Lions	Cornell Big Red
Field goals	33-60	33-75
Field goal %	55	44
Three-pointers	10-23	15-33
Three-point %	43	45
Free throws	28-33	18-20
Free throw %	85	90
Rebounds	35	34
Offensive rebounds	9	14
Defensive rebounds	26	20
Assists	22	28
Steals	5	7
Blocks	1	5
Turnovers	16	12
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	15	23
Fast-break points	20	37
Points in the paint	38	34
Fouls	20	24
Largest lead	10	9
Lead changes	12	12
Time in front	44	39

How the scoring went

2nd Half65-72Mason Ritter makes layup (Miles Franklin assists)
2nd Half65-73Kaspar Sepp makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-74Kaspar Sepp makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-74Blair Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-74Blair Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half69-74Gerard O'Keefe makes 10-foot jumper
2nd Half71-74Kenny Noland makes layup
2nd Half71-76Jake Fiegen makes layup (Cooper Noard assists)
2nd Half73-76Miles Franklin makes layup (Ryan Soulis assists)
2nd Half76-76Blair Thompson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ryan Soulis assists)
2nd Half78-76Kenny Noland makes layup (Blair Thompson assists)
2nd Half78-77Jacob Beccles makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half78-78Jacob Beccles makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half80-78Gerard O'Keefe makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half83-78Kenny Noland makes 26-foot three point jumper (Blair Thompson assists)
2nd Half86-78Kenny Noland makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ryan Soulis assists)
2nd Half88-78Blair Thompson makes 2-foot dunk (Gerard O'Keefe assists)
2nd Half88-79Jacob Beccles makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half88-80Jacob Beccles makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half89-80Kenny Noland makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half90-80Kenny Noland makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half90-83Ian Imegwu makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mateen Rafiq assists)
2nd Half90-86Jake Fiegen makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mateen Rafiq assists)
2nd Half93-86Blair Thompson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kenny Noland assists)
2nd Half94-86Blair Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half95-86Blair Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half95-88Cooper Noard makes layup
2nd Half95-89Cooper Noard makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half96-89Miles Franklin makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half98-89Blair Thompson makes 1-foot dunk (Miles Franklin assists)
2nd Half98-92Ian Imegwu makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mateen Rafiq assists)
2nd Half99-92Kenny Noland makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half99-94Jake Fiegen makes layup
2nd Half100-94Miles Franklin makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half101-94Blair Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half102-94Blair Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half102-96Cooper Noard makes layup
2nd Half103-96Blair Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half104-96Blair Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half104-99Ian Imegwu makes 30-foot three point jumper (Cooper Noard assists)