Late Comeback Gives Lions Program-Record 10th Non-Conference Win In 87-83 Overtime Thriller Over FDU
HACKENSACK, N.J. – A late, fourth-quarter comeback led the Columbia women’s basketball team (10-4) to a program-record 10th non-conference win of the season on Wednesday night as the Lions battled until the final buzzer in an 87-83 overtime victory over Fairleigh Dickinson (4-11).
After heading into the fourth quarter trailing by eight, the Lions were able to turn things around late in the game to help force overtime before finishing the win at the free throw line where the Lions shot 93.3 percent (28-30) in the game.
Columbia came out of the gate attacking after winning the opening tip as Sara Mead found Camille Zimmerman at the post for a quick bucket to put the Lions on the board first.
After a back-and-forth battle between the two teams to keep it within a point at 11-10, the Columbia offense was able to go on a 10-2 run, forcing the Knights to call their first timeout of the game with 2:06 left to play in the first quarter.
Unfortunately FDU responded back with five of the next seven points, cutting the Columbia lead to 22-17 after the first 10 minutes of action.
That momentum continued for the Knights heading into the second quarter, however, as they took away eight of the first 12 points to pull to within one, 26-25, forcing Columbia to use a timeout with 5:40 to play in the half.
After FDU was able to take back the lead, 27-26, it was Alexa Giuliano who was able to drain a big three in the corner to put the Lions back on top, 29-27, with 3:48 to go and despite an exchange of buckets, the Lions would not give up their lead as they took a 34-32 advantage into the locker rooms at the half.
Leading 45-42, first-year Emily Surloff stepped into the nearside corner and drained back-to-back threes, giving the Lions a 51-42 lead with just under three minutes to go in the third.
Unfortunately the Knights responded once again, storming out on a 10-0 run as they shut down the Columbia offense to take back a 52-51 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of action.
Facing a 66-58 deficit, the Lions began to gain some momentum behind the aggressive play of Devon Roeper who was able to take the next eight points for the Lions before a Paulina Korner steal led Surloff to yet another corner three, putting Columbia back on top, 69-68, with just under two to play.
After allowing back-to-back baskets to the Knights, Alexa Giuliano was able to drain a bucket from the corner to tie things up at 72-72, but neither team was able to capitalize on their final possession, sending the game into overtime.
Columbia came out of the break attacking with five of the first six points and thanks to a layup by Devon Roeper, the Lions were able to take advantage of a 78-75 lead with 3:42 to play.
Unfortunately the Knights answered back with four straight, taking back the lead at 79-78 before a turnaround jumper by Korner put the Lions back on top, 80-79, with 1:43 remaining.
With the clock winding down, rookie Emily Surloff came up big once again for the Lions as she drained her sixth 3-pointer of the game from deep in the near corner to put Columbia on top, 83-79, with 26.8 to go.
After a pair of free throws by each team to make it an 85-81 Columbia lead with only 16.9 remaining, the Knights were able to convert on a quick layup to pull to within a pair, but the consistent free-throw shooting by Paulina Korner and Sara Mead in the final 16 seconds was all Columbia needed to seal an 87-83 victory for the Lions.
The Lions finished with four players in double-figures with Emily Surloff leading the way with 20 points after draining 6-of-10 from downtown. Camille Zimmerman picked up a double-double on the night after posting up 16 points and 10 rebounds while Devon Roeper and Tori Oliver posted up 18 and 15 points, respectively.
The Lions will round out the non-conference portion of their schedule on Monday as they welcome NJIT to Levien Gym for a 7 p.m. matchup on the Ivy League Digital Network (ILDN).
