The Columbia Lions and the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights meet in college basketball action from the Stratis Arena at the Rothman Center on Monday night. Can Columbia hand the Knights their first home loss of the year? Or will FDU extend their winning streak? Let’s take a look and give out a Columbia vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Prediction.

Columbia Team Preview

The Columbia Lions will be looking to build on their 83-72 win over Lafayette last time out to improve to 7-3 on the year. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa leads the Lions in scoring and assists with 14 PPG and 2.4 APG along with 3.5 RPG while Avery Brown has 11.6 PPG and 3.8 RPG and Blair Thompson has 10.2 PPG with a team-high 6.2 RPG to lead the Lions on the glass while rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for Columbia so far this season. As a team, Columbia is averaging 77.8 PPG on 46.4% shooting from the field, 35.5% from three and 80.6% from the foul line this season.

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Fairleigh Dickinson Team Preview

The Fairleigh Dickinson Knights come into this game looking to build on back-to-back wins after a 76-71 win over Manhattan last time out. Ansley Almonor leads the Knights in scoring with 15.9 PPG along with 5.7 RPG while Sean Moore has 11.6 PPG with a team-high 7.8 RPG to lead the Knights on the glass this season. Jo’el Emanuel has 10.6 PPG with 5.9 RPG while DeVante Jamison has 10.9 PPG with 3.2 RPG and a team-high 5.1 APG to lead the Knights in the assist department this season. Joe Munden Jr. has 10.9 PPG with 3.6 RPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Fairleigh Dickinson up to this point in the year. As a team, Fairleigh Dickinson is averaging 82.5 PPG on 44.5% shooting from the field, 34.3% from three and 70.4% from the foul line this season. Fairleigh Dickinson is at the top of the NEC with a 6-5 record. The Knights are the only team above .500 in the conference, while Stonehill is at the bottom with a 1-10 record.

Columbia vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Prediction

I’m backing Columbia here. I just trust the Lions in this spot more than I do Fairleigh Dickinson, who have been susceptible on the defensive end of the floor this season. Columbia does a good job hitting their threes and their free throws, and they’re more consistent on the defensive end of the floor. Give me the Lions in this one.