Columbia

75

65

Binghamton

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y. — The Columbia women's basketball team secured its first five-game winning streak since 2003 on Saturday, using a strong fourth quarter to hold off Binghamton, 75-65, at the Events Center.

The win moves Columbia to 7-2, matching the best nine-game start in program history (2002-03, 1986-87).

Junior Camille Zimmerman led the Lions with game-highs of 27 points and 10 rebounds, matching her totals from Wednesday's victory over Providence. Zimmerman's back-to-back 27-point performances tie for her season-high in scoring. She also recorded her Ivy League-leading sixth double-double.

After leading by as many as 11 in the first half, Columbia got in some foul trouble and Binghamton (3-6) took advantage. The Bearcats scored 13 of their 22 third-quarter points at the charity stripe and closed a 10-0 run with their first lead, 51-50, since the game's opening minutes.

Columbia escaped the third quarter with a two-point lead and found itself in a 62-all tie with less than three minutes remaining. That's when sophomore Abby Lee drained a 3-ball from the corner, sparking an 8-0 run that ended with senior Tori Oliver converting an and-1 opportunity. The Lions held on from there, outscoring the Bearcats 13-3 through the game's final 5:25.

“I'm proud of the team for how we fought through that lull in the third quarter and finished strong,” said head coach Megan Griffith. “We have to work through finding our energy on the road, but it was nice to extend our winning streak.”

Oliver ended the afternoon with 15 points and sophomore Paulina Koerner scored 10 to join Zimmerman in double figures. Oliver added six rebounds and sophomore Josie Little came away with seven boards before fouling out in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

“We executed on defense coming down the stretch,” said Zimmerman, who now sits just 11 points from 1,000 in her career. “Everyone found the energy at the end to pick us up and pull us through. It wasn't our best game, but it was good to get a win on the road. Hopefully, we can finish this stretch with another one at home on Monday.”

For Binghamton, Alyssa James scored a team-high 20 points and matched Karlee Krchnavi with eight rebounds. Jasmine Sina (16), Imani Watkins (15) and Kai Moon (11) also scored in double figures.

Columbia outrebounded Binghamton 48-29, including 12 offensive rebounds that led to 14 second-chance points. The Lions outshot Binghamton 46 percent to 36 percent, but the Bearcats tried to make up for it at the foul line. However, they missed 18 of their 37 attempts, finishing the game at 57 percent.

Both sides came out knocking down shots, but it was Zimmerman who helped the Lions build an early lead. Tied at 12, she scored on back-to-back possessions to catapult at 13-4 run. Koerner and sophomore Emily Surloff hit runners in the paint, followed by a triple from junior Alexa Giuliano. Oliver connected inside just before the end of the first quarter, giving the Lions a 25-16 lead.

Columbia took its largest lead of the game, 32-21, in the second quarter, but Binghamton found its way back thanks to the play of James. The Bearcat center scored nine of her team's first 11 points in the quarter, doing all of her work down low. Sina followed with a 3-pointer to get Binghamton within four, but Columbia responded with six points in the final minutes of the half, taking a 40-34 lead into the locker rooms.

Columbia grew its lead back to double digits before foul trouble allowed Binghamton into the game. The Lions committed their fifth foul with 5:38 left in the quarter, putting the Bearcats at the line for 19 attempts during the period. A 3-point play from Lee helped Columbia regain the lead heading to the fourth quarter.

The Lions return to Levien Gymnasium on Monday for their final game before the winter break. Columbia will host LIU Brooklyn with tip scheduled for 7 p.m.

Postgame Notes:
- Columbia won its fifth straight game, marking its longest winning streak since a five-game stretch in December of 2003.

- Columbia's 7-2 start matches its best though nine games in program history, also doing so in 2002-03 and 1986-87.

- Zimmerman recorded exactly 27 points and 10 rebounds for the second straight game. She is 11 points away from 1,000.

- Columbia took a 5-1 lead in the all-time series, upping its series winning streak to three games. It was Columbia's first win at Binghamton since the first meeting in 1985.