What a difference a week can make.

Against the Lions on Friday night, the Crimson backcourt pair shot at a 58.8 percent clip, totaled 41 of the team’s 88 points, and made bucket after bucket when it counted.

In double overtime alone, Chambers knocked down five free throws, while Saunders tallied perhaps the most crucial assist of the night with one minute left in the period.

With under 1:15 to play and the shot clock winding down, Chambers had possession of the ball. Saunders quickly beat his man with a backdoor cut, and the point guard bounced him a low pass near the hoop. Saunders navigated traffic for a moment before sending a bullet pass to Rivard, who sat, hands ready, at the three-point line. The senior did what he does best, promptly knocking down the trey to give the Crimson a five-point lead.

“The beautiful part of that possession was that we had two guys [Chambers and Saunders] who made the right play,” Amaker explained. “Those two guys are our best playmakers, and boy, did they make the right play. Laurent had the easy part: just make the shot. And he did. And we are very fortunate for it.”

Seconds after the three went down, Columbia coach Kyle Smith was whistled for a technical foul. The game was over.

“I’m not sure you need a stat sheet to say how incredible that game was, how hard-fought it was by both teams,” Amaker said. “I think [tonight’s game] was critical [moving forward].”

—Staff writer Juliet Spies-Gans can be reached at juliet.spies-gans@thecrimson.com.