PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)—Weyinmi Efejuku had 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting as Providence recorded its third straight non-conference victory, 81-55, over Columbia.
Sharaud Curry added 16 points and six assists for the Friars (4-1). Geoff McDermott had a game-high nine rebounds.
The Lions (4-3) were paced by Ben Nwachukwu with 16 points and five rebounds.
The first half featured four ties and five lead changes. K.J. Matsui made a three-pointer to give Columbia its biggest lead, 9-5, at 16:37.
Providence took a 32-25 halftime lead when Dwaine Williams hit his second straight 3-pointer in the last minute. He scored 13 points and made four of five 3-point attempts. The Friars, who had converted just 31 per cent of 3-pointers in previous games, made 9 of 16 Tuesday night.
Efejuku had successive dunks on assists by Curry to spark a 9-2 run in the first four minutes of the second half. Providence continued to pull away for the rest of the game, scoring 33 points off 17 Columbia turnovers.
