Final Score: Columbia 67, Cornell 58

Ithaca, NY (Sports Network) - Mark Cisco registered a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds, as the Columbia Lions notched a 67-58 win over the Cornell Big Red in the Ivy League opener for both teams at Newman Arena.

Brian Barbour added 16 points for the Lions (9-6, 1-0 Ivy), who were playing their first game action since Jan. 8. Steve Frankoski and Grant Mullins rounded out the team's double-figure scorers with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The Big Red (8-10, 0-1) were denied in their bid for a third straight win, despite an 8-of-19 team effort from beyond the arc (.421). Shonn Miller led the way with 13 points, followed by Nolan Cressler with 11 off the bench, and Johnathan Gray with 10 points.

The teams battled back and forth throughout the first half, although it was Columbia claiming a slim 34-31 lead at the break. The Lions shot 12-of-25 from the floor and went 5-of-10 from the perimeter in the opening frame, while Cornell was a nearly identical 12-of-26 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3- point range.

However, the Lions really maximized their possessions in the second stanza, shooting 61 percent from the floor (11-of-18) and 77 percent from the foul line (10-of-13) to seal the win.

The Big Red posted a 16-2 edge in second-chance points for the game but made only 2-of-5 free throws. They'll have a chance for redemption next Saturday when these teams square off again.