Columbia is back in the WNIT Super 16 after a 78-73 defeat of Fordham in a tight interborough contest Monday night.
The Lions closed a nail biter on a 12-2 run to secure the victory.
”We stepped up and made some big plays,” Columbia coach Megan Griffith said.
Columbia (25-5, 12-2 Ivy) sped out to an 18-14 first-quarter lead, powered by eight points from guard Abbey Hsu.
The lead ballooned to 24-16 on a trey by senior guard Jaida Patrick trey, but then the pesky Rams (19-13, 10-6) went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 24-23.
Another eight-point run put the Rams up 33-29. A Hsu jumper brought Columbia to within 33-31.
The Lions seemingly had a 34-33 lead at the half on a Hsu trey, but officials disallowed the basket due to a shot-clock violation.
Columbia had nine turnovers in the half compared with only three by Fordham.
Senior forward Hannah Pratt hit a trey to open up the second half. Fordham then went on a 7-0 run to lead 40-34. It was 46-45 Rams on a 7-0 Columbia run in less than 30 seconds.
The third quarter ended tied at 59, as Columbia closed the quarter making six straight field goals and in that stretch, Fordham went 6-for-7 from the field.
Columbia went up 65-64 on a Pratt trey and then Fordham went on a 6-0 run to lead 71-66 with 3:30 to go.
An old-fashioned three-point play by senior guard/forward Kaitlyn Davis gave Columbia a 75-73 lead with 19 seconds remaining.
Patrick made two free throws to close out the scoring.
Hsu led Columbia with 20 points and a career-high 12 rebounds.
”We’ve really been trying to focus on getting stops down the stretch,” Hsu said.
Patrick chipped in with 18 points. Pratt dished a career-high seven assists.
Senior guard Anna DeWolfe led Fordham with 21 points and graduate guard Asiah Dingle registered 20.
Columbia faces Syracuse at Levien Gym Friday at 7 p.m. The Orange defeated Seton Hall Monday night on the road.