A second-half surge behind 59.3 percent shooting by the Bears led Brown to a 73-63 win over Columbia on Saturday night.
Despite the loss, it was an inspirational night for all members in attendance as Columbia hosted its ninth-annual Play4Kay game on Saturday night, honoring those who have battled women’s cancers and all those who were affected by it.
With the Lions came out dresed in their pink uniforms to support the fight against women’s cancer, Columbia honored those survivors of breast cancer during a special halftime ceremony on the court. Half of the proceeds from Saturday’s game went towards the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center while the other half went towards the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to help the fight against breast cancer and all other women’s cancer. On-site donations made by fans throughout the game were also matched by the Fairway Community Foundation.
While Brown got on the board first to open the game after two and a half minutes of scoreless action, it was first-year Josie Little who answered immediately back with a bucket of her own to tie things up at 2-2.
The Columbia defense stepped up throughout the first quarter, holding the Bears to two of their last 13 from the field to end the period, and with the help of a big three from rookie Emily Surloff, the Lions were able to take a 12-8 lead into the second.
The Bears came out attacking in the second quarter on a 6-0 run, but Camille Zimmerman was able to respond back for the Lions with a transition three to give Columbia back a 15-14 lead with 7:52 to play.
With the Lions on top, 20-18, Brown came back with yet another six unanswered points before Alexa Giuliano and Emily Surloff were able to drain a pair of 3-pointers and knot things up at 26-26 with 2:17 to go in the half.
While the Bears tied the game back up with a layup by Jordin Alexander, the Lions would not relinquish their lead as Devon Roeper capitalized on an and-one to give Columbia a 31-29 lead heading into the locker rooms.
Brown finished the first half without a bucket from beyond the arc, shooting 0-for-9 from downtown while the Lions were 5-of-14.
Unfortunately the Bears came out of the half attacking, opening the third quarter on a 9-1 run and never looked back as they held the lead the entire quarter to take a 53-48 advantage into the final 10 minutes of play.
Trailing, 55-48, with 9:33 to go, the Lions were able to rally back with a 7-2 run of their own thanks to yet another three by Abby Lee, getting Columbia to within a pair, 57-55, with 8:13 remaining.
The Bears were able to close out the game shooting 63.6 percent (7-of-11) in the final 10 minutes, however, sealing a 73-63 victory over Columbia as the Lions went on to hit only two of their final 13 shots from the field.
Camille Zimmerman was able to pick up her fifth double-double of the season, posting up 14 points and 10 rebounds while Tori Oliver (11 points) and Devon Roeper (10 points) each added double-figures for the Lions.
Columbia was able to hold the Brown perimeter shooting at bay the entire game, however, keeping the Bears to 7.7 percent (1-of-13) from beyond the arc.
Photo by: Miguel Medina
