PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — In a pivotal Ivy League showdown that defied pregame projections, the Columbia Lions delivered a statement victory on the road, upsetting the Princeton Tigers 73-67 in a women’s basketball game Friday night at a packed Jadwin Gymnasium.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 1,424, was a masterclass in resilience from the visiting Lions, who weathered every Princeton surge behind a career-defining performance from junior guard Perri Page. Columbia improved to 14-5 overall and injected chaos into the conference race, while Princeton, which entered the night with a 17-1 record and was given a 77.7% probability to win by Interstat’s ELO system, fell to 17-2.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the fourth quarter, with Columbia protecting a narrow lead. Leading 51-48 with under seven minutes to play, the Lions executed a decisive 8-0 run that ultimately broke the Tigers’ back. The sequence was fueled by their star, as Page scored six consecutive points. She first connected on a floating jumper off an assist from Marija Avlijas, then finished a layup on a feed from Susie Rafiu. After a Princeton timeout failed to stem the tide, Page capped the personal outburst with another driving layup, pushing the Columbia advantage to 59-48 with 6:46 remaining.

Princeton, renowned for its offensive efficiency, could not muster a sustained response. The Tigers clawed back to within six points on several occasions in the final minutes, but Columbia answered each time at the free-throw line. The Lions sealed the game by making 10 of 12 free throws in the final quarter, including four from Page and two each from Mia Broom and Fliss Henderson in the tense closing seconds.

Page, a 5-foot-11 guard from Pittsburgh, was the undisputed catalyst for Columbia. She played 36 minutes and poured in a game-high 23 points, adding five assists and three steals. Her ability to attack the basket and draw fouls was paramount, as she went 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. This performance continued an exceptional stretch for Page, who has now scored in double figures in eight consecutive games.

Columbia established its intent early, using an 8-0 first-quarter run to take a lead it would never fully relinquish. The Lions led 23-21 after a frenetic opening period and maintained a 37-36 edge at halftime despite Princeton’s Madison St. Rose heating up for 11 first-half points. The third quarter saw both teams trade blows, with Columbia’s Riley Weiss hitting a key 3-pointer and Page adding a hook shot to keep the Lions in front 54-50 heading into the final frame.

Princeton’s offense, which averages over 74 points per game, was held in check by a disciplined Columbia defense. The Tigers were led by a trio of double-digit scorers: St. Rose finished with 17 points and four assists, Olivia Hutcherson added 17 points, and Skye Belker contributed 16 points. However, the Tigers committed 18 turnovers and shot just 38.6% from the field for the game, well below their season average.

Columbia’s victory was a balanced effort beyond Page’s heroics. Broom and Henderson each scored 10 points, with Henderson adding a crucial block in the fourth quarter. Rafiu also chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds, while Avlijas directed the offense with four assists.

The win marks Columbia’s fourth straight victory and represents its most significant triumph of the season, snapping Princeton’s nine-game winning streak. It sets up a compelling rematch in just two weeks when these teams meet again in New York City on Feb. 13. For now, Columbia heads to Philadelphia to face Penn on Saturday with newfound confidence, while Princeton looks to regroup at home against Cornell.