Columbia Lions Triumph Over Princeton Tigers
In a thrilling matchup, the Columbia Lions clinched a 73-67 victory over the 19th-ranked Princeton Tigers on Friday night in Princeton, New Jersey. The standout performer for Columbia was Perri Page, who contributed significantly by scoring 14 of her total 23 points during a decisive second half. Supporting her efforts, Fliss Henderson recorded an impressive 10 points alongside nine rebounds, helping Columbia secure the win.
Record and Historical Significance
With this victory, the Lions improved their record to 14-5 overall and 5-1 in the Ivy League, while simultaneously extending their remarkable streak of true road wins to 16 games. This accomplishment underscores their growing prowess in competitive women’s basketball. The triumph also marked only the second time in the program’s history that Columbia overcame a team ranked in the AP Top 25, with their last victory against a ranked opponent occurring earlier this season against Princeton when they were ranked 25th.
Game Highlights
On the other side, Princeton, now at 17-2 and matching Columbia with a 5-1 Ivy League record, was riding a 15-game winning streak—the third-longest in the nation. However, the game took a turn in the fourth quarter when Columbia scored six out of the first seven points to establish a lead of 60-51. Despite a narrowing margin that saw Columbia’s advantage at just 62-59 with under four minutes left, they surged ahead, scoring seven consecutive points to create a commanding 69-59 lead, ultimately securing the victory.
Player Contributions
While Columbia had to manage the foul trouble of their leading scorer, Riley Weiss—averaging 18.6 points per game—who fouled out early in the fourth with 12 points, Susie Rafiu and Mia Broom each chipped in with 10 points.
For Princeton, the absence of Madison St. Rose in the third quarter, due to a knee injury, was a significant blow; she had 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists before her departure. In her absence, Olivia Hutcherson and Skye Belker each scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, but it was not enough to overcome Columbia’s momentum.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Columbia will continue on their three-game road trip with a match against Pennsylvania on Saturday, while Princeton has a home game against Cornell scheduled for the same day.
