NEW YORK, N.Y. - Junior guard Megan Griffith led the Lions with 19 points and senior center Sarah Beato had eight blocks, but Cornell had an answer and defeated Columbia 75-60.

The Lions started out fast, gaining an 11-4 lead early in the game. The Big Red, however, matched Columbia's intensity and scored 10 unanswered points to take a 12-11 lead. The Lions rallied and a jump shot from sophomore guard Michele Gage and a layup from Griffith put the team back on top 15-12.

After trading baskets, Cornell took the game into its own hands and took the lead for the final time in the game with a pair of free throws from Gretchen Gregg. The Big Red quickly gained a 17-point lead (33-16) but Columbia hit two baskets in a row to take the score to 33-19. Cornell stopped the rally short and the first half ended with the Big Red on top 37-25.

Gage led the Lions at the half with 10 points and Beato had four rebounds. For Cornell, Jeomi Maduka had 10 points and six rebounds.

The Lions cut the lead to 10 points at the start of the second half on a layup by Gage, but the Big Red once again took a commanding 17-point lead (44-27). Columbia was able to get within 10 points again when junior guard Shasta Henderson hit a jumper at 11:19 to make the score 50-40. Sophomore forward Cate Taylor hit a layup on the next possession, cutting the lead to eight, and with 8:27 left in the game, Beato netted a layup to bring the Lions within six (55-49). Cornell, however, took advantage of Columbia fouls and hit two free throws on the next three possessions to stop the comeback. The Big Red led by as many as 18 points in the final minutes of the game and won by a score of 75-60. Griffith finished with a team high 19 points and had five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

"In 13 years of coaching, Megan is one of the toughest players I have ever coached, said head coach Paul Nixon of his leading scorer. "When she laces up her shoes, there is only one way she knows how to play and that is `all out'."

Also scoring in double digits with Griffith was Gage, who finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, and sophomore forward Brittney Carfora, who had 10 points and five rebounds.

Maduka led the Big Red with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

The Lions face Bucknell on the road on Tuesday, January 24 at 6 p.m.