NEW YORK, NY(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-UNIVERSITY-FEB.24-26, 2024)-The 2023 Co-Ivy League women's basketball champions " Columbia and Princeton " collided in showdown match last Saturday's afternoon with the Lions defeating the Tigers 67-65, in a thriller ending, and on Senior day celebration at Levien Gym, Columbia University.

With the victory, Columbia improves (20-4, & 10-1, in Ivy League) extending its winning streak to 7, while snapping Princeton (20-4, & 10-1, Ivy League) 15-game consecutive victories, even the season series 1-1, and share first place  in the standings with three games remaining in the season.

Prior to the start of the game, The Columbia Athletics honored its seniors: Abby Shu,Page Ladder & Nicole Stephens for their contributions to the Columbia Women's basketball athletic program during the last four years. 

The Lions who won its first Ivy League conference title last season for the first time in program history under head coach Megan Griffith, are in search for its first tournament title that will give them their first berth to the NCAA tournament in program history for Columbia.

In the other hand, Princeton who is ranked#25, in the nation, are in search for its 4rd consecutive Ivy crown and 3rd NCAA postseason berth under head coach Carla Berube.

Both teams traded baskets fort the first few minutes but Columbia managed to go in front with a 10-6, run at the 5:14' mark of the first period. Guard Cecilia Collins led the attack with 3-jumpers from inside the paint for 6-points while Abby Shu scored with a layup on a fast-break from the paint. Kaitlyn Chang and  Skye Belker combined for 6-points for the Tigers.  

The Lions kept the pressure and went ahead 9, during a 9-4, run in a span of 5' minute to make it 19-10, with 00:13' left in the frame. Abby Shu scored 5-points with a layup and a triple while Kitty Henderson and Perri Page added couple layups from inside the paint to closed-out the first period 19-13, in favor of Columbia.

At the start of the second period, Princeton answered back with 11-5, run to even during a 3.5' minute span with Ashley Chea leading the attack with a triple and a jumper while Che Mweke added couple layups in the run to even the game at 24-24, 6:31' left in the second frame.

The Tigers regained its composure and went ahead in the score with 6-5, run to closed-out the half 30-29, for Princeton.Rose Madison scored with couple jumpers from inside the paint and Che Nweke added a layup in the run.

In the third period, both teams traded baskets for the first 5' minutes keeping the score game very close and within 1 to 3, points in favor of Columbia.  

With the Lions leading 37-36, and 5:23' left in the 3rd frame, Columbia went in 13-5, run in span of 4' minute to build its biggest lead of game of 9-points with 1:27' left in the period. Abby Shu led the attack scoring a total of 7-points(Triple, 2FTs and a Jumper) while Cecelia Collins and Kitty Henderson hitting back-to-back triples to make it 50-41, in favor of the Lions.

Che Nweke and Kaitlyn Chen scored 4-points with 4-consecutive FTs for Princeton while  Abby Shu converted 3-straight FTs from the lane to close-out the third frame 53-45, for Columbia.

In the final period, Columbia and Princeton traded baskets in the first few minutes but the Lions kept the pressure and increased its lead by 11, with 11-8, run to make it 64-53, with 5:17' left in the game. Abby Shu scored her third triple of the game, Fliss Henderson added couple jumpers and Kitty Henderson converted her 2nd triple of the game in the run.

With Columbia leading 64-53, and 4:49 remaining in the game, Princeton went in a 12-2, scoring run spree to cut the deficit by 1, and the game score of 66-65, in favor of the Lions with :52' left in the fourth period.

With the game clock winding down and :24' left in the game, Fliss Henderson scored a point from the FT lane and failed the second one to make it 67-65, with still :24' remaining in the game. 

Princeton called a time-out to plan their final effort to tie the game with a basket or win it with a triple but failed to execute when guard Kaitlyn Chen missed a Jumper from inside the paint and while fighting for control of the ball on the floor, the game clock ran out of time to sealed the victory of 67-65, for Columbia.
The game stats of the game was very even except the 11-3, 2nd chance points that went to Columbia.

The Lions were led by Abbey Shu with 26-points and 4-triples, Cecelia Collins added 14-points and 2-Triples while Kitty Henderson added 11-points, 2-triples & 8-rebounds in the victory. 

Princeton were led by Che Nweke with 17-points, Kaitlyn added 14-points while Madison St. Rose contributed with 10-points and went 2-6, from outside the arc. 

In other Ivy League Scores:

Penn 61       Cornell  54

Harvard 80       Brown 73

Yale 78            Dartmouth  79