Pride Day win: Columbia Women's Basketball triumphs for Ivy League top spot
- Katie Denissen
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
Lions secure Ivy League title share and No. 1 Seed after a 77-49 win against Yale, fueled by powerful senior performances.
Photo by Katie Denissen/The Barnard Bulletin
March 10, 2024
In front of a roaring home crowd, Columbia Women's Basketball took to the court on Saturday afternoon with a chance to secure a share of their third-straight Ivy League Championship and the No. 1 seed in the Ivy League Tournament. The energy in Levien Gymnasium was electric, the stakes were high, and the Lions delivered a fantastic game.
The matchup against Yale was not just another conference game — it was Columbia Athletics’ 5th annual Pride Day, an event that celebrates and affirms the LGBTQ+ community within the Columbia sports family. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff packed the stands, decked out in Columbia blue and rainbow gear, creating an atmosphere that pulsed with school spirit and pride. Fans waved pride flags, wore colorful face paint across their cheeks, and the cheer and dance teams donned new rainbow pom-poms.
From the opening tip-off, the Lions set the tone with a dominant performance, with Riley Weiss (CC ‘27) sinking a mid-range jump shot to open the scoring. The Lions were leading 18-10 at the end of the first quarter, before a 42-23 lead at half. Senior guard Cecelia Collins (CC ‘25) orchestrated the offense with precision, recording a triple-double with 16 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists. This marked the third triple-double in program history and came just a day after fellow senior guard Kitty Henderson (CC ‘25) achieved the same feat against Brown.
"We are totally being led by our seniors right now," said Coach Megan Griffith. "It’s been an honor to coach them up to this point in their careers." Collins’ leadership was evident, and her performance was a major catalyst for the win. "Any time one player, let alone two, can affect and impact the game as much as Collins and Henderson do, it’s really special," Coach Griffith added.
Henderson continued her stellar play, contributing nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists against Yale. "She's just a winner in every possible way," Coach Griffith said about Henderson. Collins and Hendersons’s back-to-back triple-doubles made them only the second set of teammates in NCAA Division I Women's Basketball history to accomplish this feat in consecutive games.
“Playing with Kitty has been nothing short of amazing,” Collins said about Henderson. “She's just like a great leader for us, and I look up to her every single day. She makes everyone better.”
Weiss also made her presence felt, pouring in 23 points and knocking down five three-pointers. Weiss, who has been a key offensive weapon for the Lions this season, stretched Yale’s defense with her sharpshooting, opening up opportunities for her teammates and keeping Columbia in control.
The Lions held Yale to 49 points, forcing numerous turnovers. The lead stretched to as many as 33 points in the fourth quarter, allowing head coach Megan Griffith to rotate the lineup and give valuable minutes to the bench. Among those who saw time on the court were Barnard students Emily Montes (BC ‘27) and Blau Tor (BC ‘27). Their presence reflects the opportunities available to Barnard students through Columbia’s athletic consortium, which allows Barnard athletes to compete at the Division I level.
According to Coach Griffith, “growth in execution” throughout the season has been evident for the Lions, as they have steadily improved while maintaining their aggressive style of play. "The beautiful thing about this team is that we’re playing our best basketball right now, but also we haven’t maxed out on our potential,” Griffith said of the Lion’s performance.
As the team heads into the Ivy League Tournament, held March 14-16 in Providence, Rhode Island, both Collins and Henderson emphasized the need for laser focus. "Going into this week, we really have to lock in at Cornell," Collins said, underlining the team's determination to stay focused on the task at hand. Henderson added: "Making sure that we're staying to our standards and staying to our identity," as a reminder of the values that have propelled them to this point.
The 77-49 victory not only secured a share of the Ivy League title but also guaranteed the Lions the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Ivy League Tournament. For students, the game was more than just basketball. It was a moment of unity, pride, and school spirit. With free admission to all regular-season Columbia Athletics events for students with a valid ID, the turnout was a testament to the growing support for women’s sports on campus and the true impact and skill of the Columbia Women’s Basketball program.
The Lions will wrap up the regular season on Saturday with a matchup against Cornell, where they will have the opportunity to secure their first-ever outright title in program history. Admission is free for students, and it is sure to be an exciting game. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Levien Gymnasium.
“The job’s not done,” as Coach Griffith put it.