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Photo: Megan Griffith (Columbia's Head Coach) & Abbey Hsu

NEW YORK, NY(SMI-COLLEGE-SPORTS, 02.18.22)-Three players scored in double-digits as the Columbia Women's basketball team defeated  Harvard 74-70, securing its second straight berth for the Ivy League postseason tournament and tying the school program for most wins of 9 in the Ivy League conference and 18 victories overall in the season, since 2009-2010 team at  Levien Gymnasium.

Lions' guard and top scorer Abbey Hsu also made history in today's victory over the Crimson after scoring 13-points and 6-rebounds, including 2-triples outside the arc to break a new single-season 3-point record with 74, surpassing Alexa Giuliano who set the record of 73 in the 2014-2015 season."All these records setting breaking, it feels good but we are never satisfied because then we don't want to get complacent. it's a reflection of our all hard work. It's hard work is paying off and onto the next." Said Abby Hsu at the postgame press conference when she was asked about her new 3-point record setting with the Columbia basketball program.

The synopsis of the game overall was very close with Columbia leading most of the game in the first two quarter but Harvard fought back and kept the game very tight under the 8-points margin deficit. Both teams exchanged lead back to back during the 3-quarter but the key that kept the game very tight was the 21 turnovers committed by Lions' defense and 14 steals that Harvard turned into major points that kept them in the game to the final minute.

The Lions were led guard Jaida Patrick who played sensational in the offensive line recording 20-points and 8-rebounds. Kaitlyn Davis added 18 points and 6-rebounds and Abbey Hsu finished with 13-points and 6-rebounds in the victory.   

With the win today over Harvard, Columbia improve to 18-4 overall and 9-1, in the Ivy league conference, recording its third conference season series sweep over Ivy League teams: Yale, Penn and now Harvard with four games left into the season.


Metro-Starlight had the opportunity to attend the Columbia's Postgame press conference with head coach Megan Griffith and this is what She said :



Press: Opening Statement Summary of the game

Megan Griffith " I though they played to win this game. They needed to win this and kind every game now, everything is very important for them to make the tournament. They have everything to loose I think for us it's unfortunately we started the game not playing to win but we were playing not to loose. In the second half we really put the switch and were able to wake up in the sense and get back  the game plan and make sure we are execute down the stretch when we are into.

Starlight: What does it mean for you as the coach and for the program sweeping the season series of top three teams of the conference : Yale, Penn & Harvard ?

Megan Griffith: " I think It shows how hard everyone has worked to get to this point  and I have an amazing staff  that I trust and that goes not just from my direct staff , or support staff or trainer or SID's. We have a group of people that really believe in our culture and people that are here. I think when you have that you can really accomplish great things and this is just by-product of caring about the right thing and caring about each other.

Starlight: How the team has grown from the psychological aspect of the game  since the past season ?

Megan Griffith: I think quite a-lot. I think it's was really hard to find way to continue grow in a year away that we had but again huge credit to my staff
for everybody just being lock-in knowing that we are coming back to was going to be really special and we were able add some pieces you know with the newcomers with Jada and they because they fitting so well we were able honestly to take off  where we left-off. I'm excited to see where we are going I think our sealing still very high. I think we still have a lot things to figure out as a program and this is not definite the finish product that is coming with us as well"  


Starlight : How is the team mind set to face the Princeton next week after losing the first game ?

Megan Griffith: They are ready. We had a big wake-up call when we played them. I told the team that I wrote their head coach (Princeton's coach) a Thank You note for exposing us and making sure you taught us that things we need to improve.They were playing like they have everything to loose in the game which they did. We are still the underdog in this league and we haven't done or won anything yet , we approached that game like we have something to loose. We still have to have that and earn everything , play with toughness and win 50/50 balls and is really hard when you best players don't show up either . I think it was really a nice wake up call and we are ready for them on Wednesday.  

Starlight: The new player on your roster "Jada Patrick" played sensational today. Is she the missing key that you were missing or looking for in order to reinforce the team  or maybe to win it all ? 

Megan Griffith: I do think she is going to be a big key about us being successful. I said to our staff earlier and we said it to her recruiter and as long the kid keeps improving that way she has been You know she is absolutely going to play a huge role for us when it comes down the stretch to the tournament. I do think that she's earned a key right now and I'm excited what she continues to do.      

 

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