Kenny Noland stole the show at Leede Arena, leading Columbia to a convincing 79-69 win over Dartmouth. The Lions' star player dropped 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, outdueling Dartmouth's Brandon Mitchell-Day, who finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The victory marked a strong performance by Columbia, who had been predicted to win by just 1.7 points by CHD Scout.
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams scoring 31 points in the first half. However, Columbia found their rhythm in the second half, scoring 48 points to Dartmouth's 38. The Lions' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Hampton Sanders adding 16 points and Blair Thompson chipping in 10 points and 6 rebounds. Dartmouth, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace, despite solid performances from Mitchell-Day, Connor Amundsen, and Jackson Munro, who scored 13 points each.
The CHD Scout prediction was accurate, as Columbia's margin of victory far exceeded the expected 1.7 points. The Lions' strong performance was a reflection of their depth and talent, as they were able to overcome a solid effort from the Big Green. Mitchell-Day's double-double was a notable achievement, but it wasn't enough to overcome Noland's dominant display.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The win improves Columbia's record to 13-6, while Dartmouth falls to 9-9. The game was classified as a Quadrant 3 matchup for both teams, which means it will have a moderate impact on their NCAA tournament resumes. For Columbia, the victory is a valuable addition to their portfolio, as they continue to build a strong case for postseason consideration. The Lions' current net ranking of 149 will likely receive a boost from this win, which could help them climb the rankings in the coming weeks.
As for Dartmouth, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one. The Big Green's net ranking of 221 will likely remain relatively stable, given that this was a Quadrant 3 game. However, they must regroup and refocus in order to stay competitive in their upcoming matchups. The loss to Columbia is a reminder that Dartmouth still has work to do if they want to make a push for the tournament.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. Columbia's win strengthens their resume, while Dartmouth's loss makes their path to the tournament more challenging. As the season progresses, both teams must continue to perform well in order to stay in contention. For now, Columbia can celebrate a hard-fought victory, while Dartmouth want to bounce back from a tough defeat.