Jeremy Lamb led the way with 30 points and Shabazz Napier added 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds as No. 4 Connecticut opened its season with a 70-56 triumph over visiting Columbia on Friday.

Lamb and Napier combined to shoot 9 of 15 from 3-point range for the Huskies (1-0), who are opening their National Championship defense without departed star Kemba Walker.

Lamb, who emerged at the end of last season, is the heir apparent to Walker as the outside scoring threat. The sophomore from Georgia shot 11 of 18 against the Lions.

Connecticut jumped out to a 25-10 edge early and shot over 50 percent in the opening half to gain control. Columbia refused to let the Huskies get too far away, chipping it to under double digits in the final minutes.

Highly-touted freshman Andre Drummond struggled a bit in his first taste of college ball, going scoreless with three rebounds off the bench for Connecticut.

Noruwa Agho struggled to 16 points on 6-of-26 shooting for the Lions (0-1).