Columbia Women’s Basketball Edges Brown in Thrilling Overtime Victory, Secures Fifth Straight 20-Win Season
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Columbia women’s basketball team narrowly defeated Brown 59-56 Saturday night at the Pizzitola Sports Center, fueled by a clutch three-point play from Perri Page with 1:48 remaining. The victory marks Columbia’s fifth consecutive 20-win season and keeps the Lions atop the Ivy League standings. A win next Saturday against Harvard will guarantee Columbia at least a share of their fourth straight league title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Ivy League Tournament. Riley Weiss led all scorers with 19 points, while Page contributed a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Columbia Women’s Basketball Secures Fifth Straight 20-Win Season, Eyes Ivy League Title
Providence, R.I. – Perri Page’s clutch three-point play with 1:48 remaining propelled the Columbia women’s basketball team to a hard-fought 59-56 victory over Brown Saturday night at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
Lions Overcome Second-Half Challenge
Columbia (20-6, 11-2 Ivy) maintained its position atop the Ivy League standings despite a resilient effort from Brown. Trailing by five with 9:07 left in the game, the Lions responded with a decisive 9-0 run. Marija Avlijas ignited the surge with a second-chance three-pointer, followed by an and-one play from Riley Weiss, and a subsequent three-pointer from Weiss, giving Columbia a four-point advantage.
Page Delivers in Critical Moment
Brown (16-9, 8-5 Ivy) battled back to tie the game twice, with Alyssa Moreland’s free throw at the 2:07 mark knotting the score. Though, Page answered with the game-defining play, driving to the basket and drawing a foul while scoring. She then calmly converted the free throw, establishing a three-point lead.
Did you understand? Columbia has now achieved 20 or more wins in five consecutive seasons, a testament to the program’s sustained success under Head Coach Megan Griffith.
Defensive Stand Seals the Victory
Moreland scored to narrow the gap to one point, and a subsequent Columbia turnover gave Brown a final opportunity to win. However, the Bears were unable to inbound the ball before being called for a five-second violation. Riley Weiss sealed the victory with two free throws, and a Columbia steal extinguished any remaining hope for Brown.
Griffith Praises Team’s Execution
“It was all about defensive execution at the end of that game,” stated Lavine Family Head Coach of Women’s Basketball Megan Griffith ’07CC. “I was really proud of our team for locking in on the play that mattered the most and forgetting about the rest of that game. You’ve just got to be what’s in front of you in that moment. Credit to [Brown], but I thought Perri and Susie were excellent down the stretch for us.”
Ivy League Title Within Reach
With this win, Columbia has secured its fifth consecutive 20-win season. More importantly, the Lions remain in first place in the Ivy League standings heading into next Saturday’s regular-season finale against Harvard. A victory over the Crimson will guarantee the Lions at least a share of their fourth straight league title and the No. 1 seed in the Ivy League Tournament.
Page Dominates with Double-Double
Perri Page led the Lions with a stellar performance, recording 13 points, a game-high 10 rebounds, a team-high four steals, and two assists. She was a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line, contributing to Columbia’s impressive 14-of-15 (.933) free throw percentage. Riley Weiss added 19 points, including a four-point play in the second quarter.
Brown’s Arnolie Leads All Scorers
Grace Arnolie paced Brown with a game-high 20 points, but struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 1-of-7 from three-point range. Alyssa Moreland contributed 11 points and nine rebounds for the Bears.
Turnovers Prove Costly for Both Teams
Brown scored 29 points off of Columbia’s 26 turnovers, but the Bears similarly committed 22 turnovers themselves, resulting in 20 points for the Lions. Columbia edged Brown on the glass, and capitalized on key opportunities when it mattered most.
Pro Tip: Successful teams often emphasize free throw shooting in late-game situations. Columbia’s near-perfect performance from the line (14-of-15) was a critical factor in securing the win.
Senior Day Next Saturday
Next Saturday’s regular-season finale against Harvard at Levien Gymnasium is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will also be Senior Day, honoring Perri Page and Susie Rafiu, with pregame festivities beginning around 1:45 p.m.
FAQ
Q: What is Columbia’s record this season?
A: Columbia is currently 20-6 overall and 11-2 in Ivy League play.
Q: What does Columbia necessitate to do to win the Ivy League title?
A: A win over Harvard next Saturday will secure at least a share of the Ivy League title for Columbia.
Q: Who led Columbia in scoring in the game against Brown?
A: Riley Weiss led Columbia with 19 points.
Q: Who led Brown in scoring in the game against Columbia?
A: Grace Arnolie led Brown with 20 points.
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