GREENVILLE, S.C. – Brian Barbour scored 19 points and Columbia built a big first-half lead over cold-shooting Furman on its way to a 68-47 victory Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
The Lions led by as many as 24 points in the first half and took a 37-17 lead into the break after the Paladins made just 7 of 29 shots (24.1 percent). Ahead 16-6, Columbia broke it open with a 14-1 run for a 30-7 lead with 8:56 until halftime.
Columbia outscored Furman 18-4 in the paint in the first half and 13-2 on fast-break points.
Steve Frankoski added 16 points for the Lions, making 4 of 10 3-point shots, and Alex Rosenberg scored 14 with eight rebounds.
Colin Reddick scored 11 points for Furman, the only Paladins player to reach double figures.
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