STORRS, Conn., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Jeremy Lamb scored 30 points Friday in helping No. 4 Connecticut begin defense of its national title with a 70-57 victory over Columbia.
The Huskies held the Lions to 28 percent shooting and almost half of Columbia's points came from 3-point range.
Connecticut began playing in the Gampel Pavilion in 1990 and has not lost a season opener in the building since then. Shabazz Napier added 21 points and the Huskies broke open a 10-point game midway through the second half by running off eight in a row.
Connecticut won its third national crown last season, defeating Butler in the title game and posting a 32-9 record.
Kemba Walker, a key part of the championship team, was the ninth player chosen in this year's NBA draft.
Columbia, which went 15-13 last season, was led by Noruwa Agho with 16 points.
This was the first meeting between the Lions and Huskies in 28 years.
