PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Despite 14 points from junior guard Megan Griffith and a career-high 10 points from junior guard Brooke Carey, the Lions lost to Brown 69-48 in the Pizzitola Sports Center.
The Lions started out with an early 7-2 as Griffith hit her first shot of the game from behind the arc and Carey and senior center Sarah Beato each added a basket. The Bears cut the lead to one point (7-6) with two baskets in a row and then tied the game on a free throw from Colleen Kelly. Brown took the lead on a jumper by Sarah Hayes but two free throws from Beato tied the score again (9-9).
The two teams traded baskets and the Bears took a 14-11 lead on a long three from Jaclyn Vocell. Brown then scored five unanswered points to take a 19-11 lead. A three from first-year guard Katrina Cragg cut the lead to 19-14, but the Bears came up with two jumpers in a row to go ahead by nine. Hayes drove for another basket and Ashley King-Bischof hit a jumper to give Brown a 28-14 advantage. The Lions went on a six-point run to end the half with Carey completing a classic three-point play and Griffith hitting a three to send the two teams to the locker rooms with the score 28-20.
At the half, Griffith led the Lions with six points and Carey had five. Beato led the team with four rebounds. For Brown, Hayes had 12 points and five rebounds.
Carey started out the second half with five consecutive points, but Brown kept up with the Lions, keeping a 42-27 lead. Hayes then scored the next six points for the Bears, giving them a 48-31 advantage. This lead was enough for Brown to put the game out of reach for Columbia as the Bears went ahead of the Lions by 23 points before the end of the game.
Along with her 14 points, Griffith also finished the game with two rebounds, four assists and one steal. Carey also finished the contest with two rebounds, two assists and two steals. For Brown, Hayes finished with a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lions take on Yale tomorrow, Saturday, February 25, in New Haven, Conn. at 7 p.m.
