NEW YORK – The Columbia women's basketball team created a double-digit first-quarter lead and never looked back, disposing of Hampton, 78-56, Tuesday night in the 2021-22 season opener at Levien Gymnasium.
Sophomore Abbey Hsu led the way for Columbia (1-0) with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from the perimeter. The 2019-20 All-Ivy League selection hit her first shot of the season, a 3-pointer just 11 seconds in, and hit another just before the halftime horn to have the Lions up 41-23 at the break.
"It was one of those nights where it felt good," said Hsu. "I want it to feel good the rest of the season, but tonight felt good … I'm excited to be back on the floor and excited to play with this group."
Hsu was joined in double figures by juniors Kaitlyn Davis and Sienna Durr, who netted 14 apiece on identical 4-of-7 marks from the floor. Junior point guard Carly Rivera had game-highs of seven assists and six rebounds, while Duke transfer Jaida Patrick scored nine off the bench.
"We were solid. We held them to eight points in the first quarter, which was really nice to see," Columbia head coach Megan Griffith said. "I think we just had to get those jitters out … Depth is amazing. It makes everything a little bit easier when you're not relying on one or two people every night … the depth has been really helpful and a big credit to my staff for recruiting these kids."
The Lions outscored Hampton 14-3 over the final 8:32 of the first quarter to hold a 12-point cushion. They extended the run to 19-3 with back-to-back buckets by Hsu to open the second quarter. Her layup at the 9:08 mark put Columbia ahead 25-8.
Columbia continued to hold a double-digit lead through the third quarter, but Hampton was staying within striking distance. The Lady Pirates whittled the deficit down to as little as 11 and remained uncomfortably close, 57-44, with 9:06 left in the ball game.
That's when the Lions put the game away. Back-to-back treys by Sienna Durr and Abbey Hsu spurred a 10-0 run that left no doubt in the final outcome.
"If we can go about it the right way and prepare ourselves every day, [our results] will just be the byproduct of all the work that we do," Griffith added. "There's something about this team where culturally they are so dialed in. It's so fun to be around them and it's the most fun I've had coaching."
Columbia ultimately turned 24 Hampton turnovers into a 21-10 scoring advantage. The Lions' bench also outscored the Lady Pirates, 23-7, led by Duke transfer Patrick's nine.
After a successful season opener at home, Columbia will play its next four on the road. That stretch begins this weekend when the Lions fly to the southeast, going up against Davidson on Friday and Clemson on Sunday.
For the latest on the Columbia women's basketball, follow @CULionsWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, or on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
