VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton erased a six point deficit in 19 seconds to escape with an 81-79 victory over the Columbia men's basketball team Wednesday afternoon. The Bearcats' (3-2) John McGriff came up with a steal and off-balance 3-pointer with four seconds on the clock to cap the epic comeback.

The Lions (2-5) maintained a lead for almost 30 minutes and seemed to have everything under control after Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa sank a pair of free throws to make it 78-72. However, Jacob Falko raced down the court for a layup and was fouled to make it a one possession game.

Rubio De La Rosa was fouled again, but only hit 1-of-2, before Falko pulled up from well beyond the arc at the top of the key to drain a 3-pointer with seven seconds to go. On the ensuing inbounds, McGriff stepped in front of a Columbia guard in the corner and quickly fired the game-winning bucket.

First-year Blair Thompson scored a game-high 22 points in 37 minutes of action. Rubio De La Rosa finished with 18 points, six rebounds and three assists.

In the first half, the teams went back-and-forth, trading runs. Columbia scored the first nine points of the contest and held the lead until a 9-2 run gave the Bearcats their first lead of the night, 22-21. A few minutes later, Binghamton then rattled off 10 unanswered and led by eight before the Lions fought back. Zavian McLean knocked down a pair of free throws to give Columbia a 34-32 lead, but the Bearcats held a 41-39 edge heading into the locker room.

The Lions started the second half strong and built its largest lead of the day, 70-59, with 4:40 left in regulation before Binghamton started its final rally.

Columbia will remain on the road to face Providence Saturday, November 26, for a 4 p.m. tip-off. The game can be viewed on FS2.