Columbia women cruise past Hampton in season opener

Fresh off a program-high third-place selection in the 2022 Ivy preseason poll, the Columbia women looked ready for even greater heights as they took down Hampton, 78-56, in the season opener at Levien Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

The Lions (1-0), as usual, were led by their dynamic All-Ivy duo of Abbey Hsu and Sienna Durr.  Hsu led all scorers with 22 points on 50% shooting and five three-pointers.  Durr finished with 14 points with 57% shooting and a pair of treys.  Kaitlyn Davis and Duke transfer Jaida Patrick, added 14 and nine points, respectively.

Davis is a key figure for coach Megan Griffith’s team as they head into the year.  The coach is aware that Davis’ first year had its share of ups and downs, but feels the junior forward, whose game is modeled after Earvin “Magic” Johnson, is ready for a breakout year.  While Davis put up double-digit points, she also had six turnovers and fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Columbia jumped out to a quick 20-8 lead after 10 minutes by shooting 57% (4-for-7) from beyond the arc and 86% from the charity stripe, while limiting the Pirates (0-for-1) to 27% shooting.  On the strength of Hsu’s 17 first-half points, the Lions opened up a 41-23 advantage at the break.

Hampton was more settled in the third quarter, holding the Lions to 31% shooting and their top two offensive weapons without any points.  Fortunately, Davis tallied eight points in the frame, including three straight free throws when she was fouled at the buzzer to leave the team with a 15-point lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Back-to-back triples from Hsu and Durr stretched the lead to 22 three minutes into the fourth quarter before the coach emptied the bench halfway through the final frame.

While Hampton’s Nylah Young, a preseason second-team All-Big South selection, had 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting, the rest of the Pirates were held to 32% from two and 15% (2-for-15) from three.  Columbia, meanwhile, hit 52% from two and 30% (8-for-27) from downtown.  The Lions added a 64% assist rate with Carly Rivera leading the way with seven.

Columbia forced 24 turnovers and 15 steals but had its own troubles holding onto the ball. With the coach’s awareness that her team’s fast pace will result in a decent number of turnovers, the 20 put up by the Lions was too high and provided the one blemish on an otherwise positive night.

The Light Blue & White, victorious for the first time since Feb. 29, 2020, have a few days of practice before heading to the Carolinas for a Friday night matchup at Davidson and a Sunday afternoon tilt at Clemson.