NEW YORK – Columbia recorded its largest margin of victory against a Div. I opponent in program history en route to its sixth consecutive win, rolling past visiting NJIT, 99-43, Saturday afternoon in women's basketball action at Levien Gymnasium.
 
The 11-day break for finals did little to slow Columbia's momentum, as the Lions improved to 7-3 on the year and swept their four-game homestand in impressive fashion. The 99 points were Columbia's most against a Div. I team in over 30 years. Meanwhile, NJIT (3-9) became the third victim over this six-game winning streak to score fewer than 50 points.
 
"We took a lot of pride in making sure our defense was leading to offense, which gives you more opportunities," head coach Megan Griffith said. "Our team is competitive. We don't need to challenge them to compete every day. They want to be a great team and to be that you have to be good every day … They are a hungry group and they do it a lot themselves."
 
Saturday's game scattered marks all over the record book. Columbia made 40 field goals, sixth-most in program history, 13 triples, tied for second-most, recorded the program's third-highest field goal percentage (.597) and the second-most assists (29). In fact, Columbia's 29 assists are its most ever against a Div. I team in regulation.
 
All 12 Lions that got in the game scored. First year Abbey Hsu led the dozen with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Junior Riley Casey, in her third game back from injury, netted a season-high 11 and hit 3-of-5 from downtown. Senior Janiya Clemmons and sophomore Sienna Durr rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points apiece. Columbia's bench scored 49 of its points.
 
"We were happy with our offense at times but we know we still have a lot of things to work on," said Casey, a junior captain. "On defense, I think we just need to talk a little better executing the scout, especially when things get sloppy. We need to stay focused no matter what the score is … I'm happy with where we are and winning six games in a row to go into break is exciting."
 
Columbia shot 73 percent in the first quarter to take a commanding 26-9 lead and never let its foot off the gas. After hitting 6-of-11 from the perimeter in the second quarter to go up 54-22 at the break, the Lions came out and shot 77 percent in the third quarter. They would lead by as many as 60 late in the fourth quarter before all was said and done.
 
The Lions ended the afternoon 40-of-67 from the field and 13-of-24 from 3-point range. Meanwhile, NJIT was held under 30 percent shooting and hit just 2-of-16 from beyond the arc.
 
The red-hot Lions head to Nashville next week where they will play two games against Vanderbilt and Tennessee State. The action begins next Sunday, Dec. 29, against the Commodores. That game can be seen live on SEC Network +.
 
For the latest on the Columbia women's basketball program, follow @CULionsWBB on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWBB, on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.