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NEW YORK – The Columbia football team limited Princeton, the second-best offense in the Ivy League, to just 10 points in the first half, but it would not be enough as the Lions fell to the Tigers, 38-6, Saturday afternoon at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.

In its league opener, Columbia (0-3, 0-1) received a 100-yard receiving performance from Cameron Molina, the first 100-plus receiving game for a Lion since senior Ryan Flannery had 108 against Fordham Sept. 21, 2013.

Princeton (2-1, 1-0) intercepted an attempt by Brett Nottingham on Columbia's second drive to put the first points on the scoreboard. Nolan Bieck put a 40-yard field goal through the uprights giving the visitors a 3-0 lead with 8:24 remaining in the first quarter.

With 3:26 to play in the first frame, the Lions were the beneficiary of a Princeton fumble forced by Niko Padilla and scooped up by Toba Akinleye. Molina added two more first downs, including one on a 35-yard shovel pass from Nottingham, setting up Noah Zgrablich's second field goal attempt of the afternoon and converted from 37 yards out with time running out in the first quarter to level the game, 3-3.

On the Tigers ensuing drive junior Travis Reim knocked another Princeton fumble loose and Akinleye fell on his second recovery of the half, giving Columbia great field position at the Tigers' 34-yard line. Zgrablich added a 25-yard field goal, giving the Lions a 6-3 advantage at the 12:52 mark in the second.

With 2:27 on the clock before intermission, the Tigers had a chance to equalize the game or go ahead, as they gained possession at their own two. Princeton drove 98 yards to the one, and took a timeout with five second on the clock. The Tigers decided to go for the lead, and quarterback Quinn Epperly took a draw up the middle into the end zone. The extra point gave Princeton a slim 10-6 edge as the teams headed to the locker rooms.

Princeton carried its late second stanza scoring momentum into the second half, scoring 21 points as they went on for the win.

Nottingham went 17-of-37 and threw for a career-high 197 yards.

DiAndre Atwater paced the Tigers 268­-yard rushing performance with 107 on 11 carries, while Epperly connected on 16-of-28 attempts for 170 yards in the air.

The Lions step out of Ancient Eight action next week as Columbia makes the trip to West Long Branch, New Jersey, for a non-conference showdown with Monmouth.