LEWISBURG, PA. - Columbia fell to Bucknell, 63-45, at the Sojka Pavilion in the Lions' final non-conference matchup of the season. Junior guard Megan Griffith and senior center Sarah Beato led Columbia with nine points apiece.

Bucknell mounted an 18-point halftime lead and led by as many as 27 points in the second half in defeating the Lions.

Bucknell scored the game's first six points, but Griffith cut the lead in half, hitting a three on her first shot of the game. The Bison built a 17-9 lead before a basket by sophomore guard Michele Gage cut the lead by two. The Bison then went on an 8-2 scoring run to take a 25-11 lead. Bucknell maintained this cushion until the break and the two teams headed into the locker rooms with the Bison ahead 41-23.

Griffith led the Lions at the half with seven points and Beato had five rebounds. For the Bison, Lauren Schober led all players with 11 points and Jacquie Seawright led with five rebounds.

The Lions sank the first basket of the second half, a jumper from sophomore forward Brittney Carfora. Columbia cut the lead to 14 points (44-30) but the Bison scored six unanswered points to take back a 20-point lead (50-30). Bucknell extended its advantage to as many as 27 points and won by a final score of 63-45.

For the Lions, Griffith and Beato both had nine points, and Beato and junior guard Brooke Carey both had a team-high six rebounds. For Bucknell, Seawright finished with a game-high 14 points and Hope Foster had eight rebounds.

"I really challenged the team at the half to elevate their level of competitiveness - particularly on defense - and I was pleased with their second half results," said head coach Paul Nixon. "We plan to carry that momentum into Saturday's game."

Columbia resumes its Ivy League schedule on Saturday, January 28, facing Cornell in Ithaca, N.Y. Game time is 2 p.m.