Brown pulled off a monumental upset at the Pizzitola Sports Center, taking down Columbia 86-80 in a game that will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. The Bears, ranked 282 in the net rankings, handed the 142-ranked Lions a stunning defeat, proving that they can hang with tougher opponents. This victory was a massive upset, considering Columbia's impressive 13-6 record coming into the game.
Landon Lewis was the star of the show for Brown, scoring 26 points and grabbing 9 rebounds to lead his team to victory. He received ample support from Jeremiah Jenkins, who nearly recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, and Isaiah Langham, who chipped in with 14 points of his own. Columbia's Kenny Noland did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bears' balanced attack.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Columbia taking a 42-36 lead into halftime. However, Brown came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Lions 36-30 to tie the game and send it into overtime. In the extra period, the Bears dominated, outscoring Columbia 14-8 to seal the win. The Lions' Blair Thompson and Miles Franklin also made significant contributions, scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively, but their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Brown's impressive team performance.
This upset victory is a huge resume booster for Brown, who desperately needed a quality win to bolster their tournament chances. The fact that they were able to take down a team like Columbia, who was ranked significantly higher, will undoubtedly catch the attention of the selection committee. On the other hand, this loss will be a tough pill for the Lions to swallow, as it drops them to a quadrant 4 loss. For Brown, this win falls into quadrant 3, a significant improvement over their previous results.
The implications of this game cannot be overstated. Brown's victory will likely drop Columbia's net ranking, making their path to the tournament more difficult. Meanwhile, the Bears will see a significant boost to their own ranking, potentially putting them back in the conversation for a postseason berth. As the season wears on, this win could be the difference-maker for Brown, and they will undoubtedly look back on this game as a turning point in their season.
In the end, Brown's stunning upset over Columbia will have far-reaching implications for both teams. The Bears' impressive performance, led by Landon Lewis's outstanding effort, will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets of the season. As the tournament picture begins to take shape, this win will be a crucial factor in determining the fate of both Brown and Columbia. With this monumental victory, Brown has significantly improved their resume, making a strong case for their tournament chances.