NEW YORK, N.Y.. -- Columbia shot 61 percent from the field in the first half to build a big lead and never looked back, knocking off Cornell 75-61 on Saturday evening at Levien Gymnasium in the Ivy League opener for both teams. The Lions improved to 6-11, while the Big Red slipped to 3-11.

Junior Terrance McBride tied a career high with 17 points and added seven rebounds and three assists and classmate Jimmy Boeheim scored 14 to go along with four boards and two blocked shots to lead the Big Red, but a pair of double-digit runs by the Lions and a cold shooting night doomed the visitors. Josh Warren added eight points, four rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Jack Forrest scored a career-best 23 points and Mike Smith, the Ivy League's leading scorer, netted 15 to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in the victory. Tai Bibbs was the third double figure scorer for the Lions with 12 points. The home team shot 51 percent overall, including 7-of-16 from 3-point range, and outscored Cornell 18-3 off turnovers and 34-22 in the paint to capture the win.

Cornell led 7-4 early in the game and trailed 27-23 after a Jordan Jones 3-pointer with 6:40 to play in the half. That basket was quickly answered by Mike Smith, and his tough runner triggered an 11-0 run that turned the game around for the Lions. When it was over, the home team led 38-23, and the Big Red never got closer than 10 (52-42 with 13:49 remaining) the rest of the way.
 

First Half

• The Big Red won the opening tip and immediately scored on a great back door feed from Bryan Knapp to Terrance McBride, part of a 7-4 run to open the half.
• Jack Forrest scored eight straight, including consecutive 3-pointers, to take the lead for good.
• A trey by Boeheim nearly seven minutes in got Cornell within 14-13, but the Lions stretched the advantage out to seven (27-20).
• The Big Red got a corner 3-pointer from Jordan Jones to make it 27-23, a shot that was answered by a driving basket by Mike Smith.
• Smith's shot triggered an 11-0 run that pushed Columbia's lead to 38-23 with 3:28 left in the half.
• It was a 19-point game at the half with Cornell shooting just 25 percent from the floor despite eight points apiece from Boeheim and McBride.
 

Second Half

• Cornell made a mini-run to start the second half, outscoring Columbia 13-4 behind five points from Warren and four apiece from McBride and Bryan Knapp.
• With Cornell back within 10 at 52-42, Forrest drilled a 3-pointer as part of a 12-0 run.
• The Big Red never got closer than 11 points the rest of the way..
 

Next Up

• The teams complete their home-and-home series when the Lions return the trip to Ithaca on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. at Newman Arena.
• The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
• The Lions have won five of the last seven meetings between the teams in Ithaca, though the Big Red has won two straight.