Penn defeats Columbia, 66-64

NEW YORK - Penn senior Zack Rosen entered Friday night with his place already cemented in Quakers history. Recently crowned the all-time assists leader and considered by many to be one of the best point guards to ever wear the red and blue, Rosen is missing just one thing: an Ivy League championship.

His title hopes got off on the right foot Friday when Penn defeated Columbia, 66-64, at Levien Gym in the league opener for both teams.

After leading by nine with two minutes remaining, the Quakers weathered a final push from the Lions and improved to 8-9 overall. The Penn victory snapped a four-game winning streak for Columbia (11-6).

"We snuck out," Rosen said. "In this league, we'll take them however we can get them."

After beginning the year as one of the hottest shooters in the nation, Rosen has cooled off considerably. But after a cold first half, he found his shot again when it mattered.

"Coach [Jerome Allen] started calling on me to make plays," Rosen said of his 13 second-half points. "That's what I do." He finished 6 for 13 from the floor with five assists and 15 points.

Allen questioned some of his seniors' late-game decisions. Columbia's pressure forced several turnovers that let the Lions come back.

"We rely heavily on them to make sound decisions. Their lack of poise and composure at that moment in time . . . it really put us in a predicament," Allen said.

Rosen's wingmen, senior Tyler Bernardini and sophomore Miles Cartwright, also came alive in the second half. The two combined for 32 points to help build Penn's lead.

"That's always a positive sign; when your three best perimeter players can put the ball in the hole, it opens up things for everybody else," Allen said.

Both teams struggled early - Penn went 0 for 5 from downtown in the first half but was able to build a six-point lead by driving inside.

Penn opened the second half with an eight-point run to take the lead after trailing by 27-23 at halftime. And then the three-guard show was on.