NEW YORK, N.Y. - Princeton's Meagan Cowher scored a career-high 32 points to lift the Tigers over Columbia 78-62. The Lions' Michele Gage had a team-high 15 points in Columbia's Ivy League opener.

The Tigers started out with an eight-point advantage in the second half (43-35) and quickly increased their lead to 46-35. The Lions fought back, getting within four points of the lead (46-42) on a three-pointer from junior guard Megan Griffith and a basket by Gage. That would be the closest Columbia came to the lead as Princeton held off the comeback and went up by as many as 22 points before the end of the game.

Princeton went on an 11-2 run in the middle of the second half to secure the win. With 13:08 left in the game, the Tigers had a 58-52 lead and scored 11 points in the next four minutes to take a 73-54 lead. Columbia couldn't catch up, eventually losing 78-62.

Cowher led all players with 32 points and Gage led the Lions with 15. Scoring in double digits for the Lions along with Gage was Griffith with 15 and junior forward Becky Hogue with 12. Senior center Sarah Beato had a career-high six blocks along with six points and five rebounds.

Columbia took a commanding 12-point lead half way through the first half, 24-12, highlighted with two big baskets from Hogue. Princeton didn't stay down for long, however, and responded with a huge scoring run of its own. The Tigers scored 15 unanswered points to take a 27-24 lead. A three by Griffith tied the game but the Lions couldn't hold on and Princeton quickly gained a six-point lead (33-27). The two teams headed into the break with the Tigers up 43-35.

Cowher led all players at the half with 22 points and Hogue led the Lions with 10.

The Lions face Penn tomorrow, Saturday, January 14th, at 7 p.m. in Levien Gymnasium.