WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — The Columbia Lions, defying pregame projections, opened their season with a decisive 71-53 victory over the New Haven Chargers in a non-conference men’s basketball game Friday afternoon at Charger Gymnasium.

A dominant first-half performance laid the foundation for the win, as Columbia raced out to a 42-18 lead by halftime and never looked back, handing New Haven its second consecutive loss to start the season.

The Lions’ offense was efficient and balanced, while their defense stifled the Chargers for the opening 20 minutes. New Haven showed more life after the break, outscoring Columbia 35-29 in the second half, but the early deficit proved far too large to overcome.

Kenny Noland, a 6-foot-4 guard from Apex, North Carolina, led the Lions with 14 points in 24 minutes of action, adding five rebounds, two assists and a block. He was a catalyst in the first half, connecting from beyond the arc and getting to the free-throw line to help build the insurmountable lead.

Providing a major spark off the bench was Miles Franklin. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Potomac, Maryland, scored 13 points in just 18 minutes, showcasing his efficiency and defensive presence with two blocked shots. His timely three-pointers and aggressive drives helped sustain Columbia’s momentum throughout the game.

The Lions’ frontcourt was anchored by Zine Eddine Bedri, a 6-foot-9 forward from Tebessa, Algeria. Bedri contributed nine points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks, using his size and agility to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Avery Brown, a local product from Beacon Falls, Connecticut, also reached double figures for Columbia with 10 points.

For New Haven, Najimi George was the lone bright spot on offense, leading all scorers with 15 points. The 6-foot-4 guard battled throughout but received limited support. Andre Pasha from Syracuse, New York, and Jabri Fitzpatrick from East Brunswick, New Jersey, added 11 and 10 points, respectively, but the Chargers’ offense struggled with consistency and ball security, especially in the first half.

The game’s outcome was a stark reversal of expectations, as statistical models heavily favored New Haven to win, projecting the Chargers with an 89.9 percent probability of victory prior to tip-off.

Columbia’s season record improves to 1-0 with the win. The Lions face a quick turnaround and a significant step up in competition, traveling to face the University of Connecticut on Monday.

New Haven falls to 0-2. The Chargers will look to secure their first win of the young season when they host Penn State on Saturday. The loss to Columbia follows a 79-55 defeat at the hands of UConn this past Monday.