NEW YORK, N.Y. - Dartmouth's Alex Barnett hit a jumper at 13:52 of the first half and the Big Green did not trail again as Dartmouth defeated Columbia 78-68.

Dartmouth pushed the lead to seven with eight minutes left in the half, but Dragutin Kravic and John Baumann hit a three-pointer and a jumper respectively to cut the lead to two.

The teams traded baskets for the next six minutes, and Columbia went on a 6-2 run in the final two minutes to go into the locker room trailing by two, 27-25.

Columbia knotted up the game to start the second half, but Dartmouth went on a decisive 22-14 run over a span of 11 minutes that sealed the game for the Big Green.

The Lions consistently cut the lead back down to five points, but Dartmouth converted free throws or hit baskets in transition to maintain the lead.

John Baumann led the Lions with 16 points, while Ben Nwachukwu added 14 with seven rebounds. Brett Loscalzo totaled 10 points with two assists and three steals in 31 minutes of action. Justin Armstrong also finished with 10 points, while Mack Montgomery and Dragutin Kravic totaled nine each.

Mike Lang and Michael Giovacchini each had 16 for the Big Green, while Chuck Flynn finished with 11 points. Lang and Giovacchini each finished with seven assists.

Columbia shot 45.1 percent from the floor to Dartmouth's 44.8. Dartmouth hit eight three's (8-19), while Columbia went 4-of-11. Both teams finished with 34 rebounds.

The Lions are on the road next week, when they travel to Yale and Brown for 7 p.m. games on Friday and Saturday respectively.