WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — The Columbia Lions opened their season with a decisive 71-53 victory over the New Haven Chargers in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday afternoon at Charger Gymnasium. Columbia built a commanding 42-18 lead by halftime and never looked back before an announced crowd of 783.

Blair Thompson led the Lions with 23 points and six rebounds. Najimi George scored 15 points for New Haven, which fell to 0-2. The Chargers’ Andre Pasha added 11 points and four rebounds. Columbia, now 1-0, shot efficiently to secure the win, while New Haven struggled to recover from its slow start.