NEW YORK -- Rebounding proved to be the difference as Penn defeated Columbia, 68-62, in Levien Gymnasium.

Columbia turned the ball over just five times (Penn had 13) and shot 34.3 percent from the floor to the Quakers' 38.1 percent, but Penn collected 21 more rebounds than Columbia. The Lions had 36 rebounds to the Quakers' 57.

"It was obvious that with our two starting post players not in the game that we were out-sized and it showed in the rebounding difference. We have to be more aggressive and physical under the basket," said head coach Paul Nixon.

Neither team led by more than six points in the entire game. The Lions held a five-point advantage, 52-47, with 8:45 to play. Penn rallied to tie the score, 53-53, at 6:06. The Lions took their final lead, 58-57, on a layup by Megan Griffith at 3:09.

However, the Quakers' Monica Naltner hit her only three-pointer of the game at 2:46 and Penn ended the game on an 11-4 run for the victory. The Quakers (3-10, 1-1 Ivy) led the contest 31-27 at halftime.

Michele Gage had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Megan Griffth had 13 points and five assists. Sarah Beato, who played just 13 minutes due to foul trouble, had four blocks.

Joey Rhoads had 22 points to lead Penn. Ashley Gray had 13 rebounds and Jennifer Fleischer had 10 points.

The Lions (4-10, 0-2 Ivy) return to action next weekend as they face Cornell at home on Sauturday, January 21. Game time is 2 p.m.