STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Lions made a late 18-point run in the second half, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor, to eventually defeat Wagner 75-65 in the Spiro Sports Center. Junior guard Megan Griffith led the Lions with 17 points and nine assists.
The Seahawks jumped out to an early 12-0 lead with 17:14 left in the first half. After a Columbia timeout, the Lions went on a five-point run with a layup from first-year Katrina Cragg and a three-pointer by Griffth, making the score 12-5. Four more points from junior forward Becky Hogue and a free throw from Griffith and the Lions were within two points (12-10). Columbia tied the game at 16 with a classic three-point play from sophomore forward Brittney Carfora.
Wagner took a four point lead quickly and Columbia cut the lead to one (24-23) with a three-point play from Cragg and the Lions took a 25-24 lead with a basket from senior center Sarah Beato. The two teams battled back and forth for the rest of the half with Wagner's Ali Ridge hitting a basket with 25 seconds left in the half to give the Seahawks a one-point lead, 36-35.
Ridge led all players with 10 points in the first half while Griffith led the Lions with eight points. Columbia's Michele Gage and Ridge both had six rebounds.
The Seahawks hit the first shot after the break, taking a 39-35 lead after a three from Joy Gallagher. Wagner took a four-point lead 43-39 with a basket by Chelsey Bunyer but the Lions tied up the score at 46 and then took the lead on two free throws from Griffith. Columbia then went on an eight-point run and took a commanding 56-46 lead.
A Wagner timeout did not stop the Lions' scoring run as they went on to score another 10 points to give them a 66-48 lead with 5:19 left. This is all Columbia needed as the team won by a final score 75-65.
"I think the key to the game was the scoring stretch in the second half when we were finally able to limit them to one shot or force turnovers on consecutive possessions which allowed us to get out on the break and that's when I think our team is the best," said coach Paul Nixon.
Griffith led all scores with 17 points and nine assists. Gage had a double-double for the Lions with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. For the Seahawks, Gallagher finished with 15 points and Ridge and Bunyer both had 14 points.
The Lions travel to Lehigh to take on the Mountain Hawks on Wednesday, January 4th at 7 p.m.
