NEW YORK, N.Y. - Behind 20 points from junior guard Megan Griffith, the Lions came from behind to defeat Yale 51-41. Heading into the second half and down by seven points, Columbia rallied in Levien Gym to give first year head coach Paul Nixon his first Ivy win.

Down 24-31 at the half, Columbia started with a bang, tying the score at 31, scoring seven straight points. The Lions took the lead (34-33) for the first time in the game at 14:47 on a three by sophomore guard Michele Gage. After trading baskets, Columbia took the lead for good with 6:14 left in the game, 40-39. The Lions went on an 11-2 run to finish the game and win 51-41.

The Lions held Yale to 10 points in the second half as the Bulldogs shot 17.4 percent from the floor.

Griffith was 2-for-3 from behind the arc and the free throw line and had three assists, three rebounds and two steals along with her 20 points. Gage finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four steals. Senior center Sarah Beato had another great night on defense, finishing with eight blocks.

For the Bulldogs, Erica Davis had 15 points and 11 rebounds, her first double-double of the season.

In the first half, both teams started off slow and Yale took and early 17-7 lead with 11:18 left in the half. The Lions managed to cut the lead to four points (19-15) with 5:44 left to go, but the Bulldogs were able to increase the lead to seven points (31-24) by the end of the half.

Griffith led both teams at the half with 12 points and Gage and junior forward Becky Hogue each had three rebounds. For Yale, Kaitlyn Lillemoe and Davis had seven points each and Davis led all players with six rebounds.

The Lions face Brown tomorrow, Saturday, February 11th at 7 p.m. in Levien Gym.