Kentucky was no fluke.

Ten days after putting a scare into the top-ranked team in the country, playing the Wildcats and their countless NBA prospects even for 30 minutes, Columbia knocked off one of the area’s best teams, topping Hofstra, 82-77, Saturday night at Levien Gymnasium in Morningside Heights.

“That gives you confidence, if you know you perform well against very good players,” junior guard Maodo Lo said.

As was the case against Kentucky, Lo stood out for the Lions (6-3). The 6-foot-4 lead guard from Germany, a second-team All Ivy League selection last season, equaled a career-high with 29 points, dazzling the large crowd with his feathery long-distance jumpshots and difficult-to-handle crossover dribble.

After struggling from the field in the first half, making just 2-of-7 shots, he caught fire after the break.

The shifty point guard scored eight straight Columbia points and 14 of 17 to turn a tight back-and-forth contest into a manageable victory. He got going midway through the second half, after picking off a pass at midcourt, he sank a running one-hander across his body as he was pushed out of bounds by Hofstra’s Juan’ya Green, to break a 46-all deadlock.

“It was fortunate it went in,” said the humble junior, who had seven rebounds. “Those types of shots can set off a team and motivate them. I think it did the case.”

Shortly thereafter, Lo hit 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, one coming after he freed himself up with a playground-style crossover that left Hofstra guard Brian Bernardi reaching for air and sank the jumper to the crowd’s delight.

“We talked about [Lo] being as good as anybody we’ve seen,” Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich said. “He proved that tonight. [Lo] was terrific. We didn’t have any answers for him.”

With last year’s star Alex Rosenberg missing the entire season after suffering a fractured foot during the preseason, Lo has been thrust into a leadership role as the team’s go-to guy. Smith has had to prod Lo to take ownership of the group.

At one point Saturday night, he told Columbia coach Kyle Smith he wasn’t sure what to do against Hofstra’s scrambling 1-3-1 zone. Passing lanes were being closed off, leaving him open, basically forcing him into taking over.

“It must’ve sunk in [during] the second half,” Smith joked.

“Maodo’s nature, if anyone that knows him, is a very even-keeled, gentle soul. Great person. I think he would be worried about stepping on people’s toes. [I have to remind him], it’s go time, you’re the guy, you got to step up and do it.

“I said it at or banquet last year, I think he can play at the highest level. You got to stay humble about it, keep working. Do that and play against Kentucky the way he did, I’m sure people take notes.”

Steve Frankoski added 14 points off the bench for Columbia and Kyle Castlin had 13. Green paced Hofstra (7-3) with 19 points, while Dion Nesmith and Ameen Tanksley chipped in 18 each.