- Columbia erases 13-point halftime deficit for historic NCAA win
- Riley Weiss scores 14 fourth-quarter points in clutch performance
- Program records first tournament victory under coach Megan Griffith
- Washington's return to March Madness ends in heartbreak
The Columbia Lions women's basketball team etched their name in NCAA history books Thursday night with a 63-60 comeback victory over Washington. Trailing by 13 points at halftime, the Ivy League champions staged a dramatic fourth-quarter rally fueled by sophomore guard Riley Weiss' career-defining performance.
Weiss exploded for 14 of her game-high 24 points in the final frame, including a crucial four-point play that shifted momentum permanently. The Lions (24-6) overcame early shooting struggles that saw them miss their first nine three-point attempts, ultimately converting 45% of their fourth-quarter field goals while holding Washington to 33% shooting after halftime.
This historic victory marks a watershed moment for Ivy League basketball. Columbia becomes only the third conference program to win an NCAA Tournament game this decade, joining traditional powers Princeton and Harvard. The win validates coach Megan Griffith's rebuilding efforts - the former Lions point guard has now delivered three consecutive regular-season titles and the program's first postseason victory.
Washington (19-14) appeared poised for a Cinderella story early, connecting on 75% of their first-quarter shots. Freshman guard Sayvia Sellers led the Huskies with 21 points, but the Pac-12 squad couldn't maintain their hot start. Critical missed free throws in the final seconds sealed Washington's fate, ending their first tournament appearance since 2017.
The Lions' triumph reflects growing parity in women's college basketball. Mid-major programs now boast 22% of all NCAA Tournament wins since 2020, up from 14% in the previous decade. Columbia's defensive adjustments after halftime - particularly their containment of Washington's perimeter shooting - demonstrate the strategic depth increasingly common outside power conferences.
Looking ahead, Columbia faces sixth-seeded West Virginia on Saturday. The Mountaineers present new challenges with their physical Big 12 style of play, but the Lions' proven resilience makes them a dangerous underdog. This matchup offers Ivy League basketball its best opportunity since 2015 to advance a team to the Sweet Sixteen.