NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic momentum swings and a decisive final minute, the Columbia Lions outlasted the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners 70-65 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Levien Gymnasium.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 722, saw Columbia improve to 8-4 on the season, while Texas-San Antonio fell to 5-6.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 35 seconds with Columbia clinging to a 65-63 lead. Texas-San Antonio’s Ereauna Hardaway drove for a potential tying layup, but Columbia’s Fliss Henderson swatted the attempt. Henderson secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled. On the ensuing possession, a technical foul was assessed to the Texas-San Antonio bench, granting Columbia’s Riley Weiss two free throws. Weiss made both, extending the lead to 67-63 with five seconds remaining.

After a Texas-San Antonio timeout, the Roadrunners’ inbounds pass was stolen by Columbia’s Perri Page, who found Henderson for a breakaway layup to seal the victory at 69-63. Weiss added one more free throw for the final margin.

The game was a tale of contrasting quarters. Columbia opened strong, building an 18-14 lead after the first period behind early three-pointers from Weiss and Susie Rafiu. The Lions then endured a severe offensive drought in the second quarter, managing only five points as Texas-San Antonio’s defense tightened. The Roadrunners capitalized, taking a 30-23 lead into halftime.

The third quarter witnessed a complete reversal. Columbia’s offense exploded for 26 points, spearheaded by Marija Avlijas and Rafiu, while their defensive pressure forced a series of Roadrunners turnovers. The Lions outscored Texas-San Antonio by 15 points in the period to seize a 49-52 advantage heading into the fourth.

Both teams struggled from beyond the arc throughout. Columbia shot just 6 for 29 from three-point range, while Texas-San Antonio was 7 for 21. The difference came at the free-throw line and in hustle categories. Columbia attempted 29 free throws, making 18, compared to Texas-San Antonio’s 9 attempts and 6 makes. The Lions also dominated in assists (15-7), steals (15-7), and offensive rebounds (11-5), generating 21 points off 20 Roadrunners turnovers.

Avlijas, a guard from Belgrade, Serbia, led all scorers with 21 points, adding five rebounds and four assists for Columbia. Rafiu, from Ipswich, England, contributed 13 points, five assists and a block. Henderson, from North Curl Curl, Australia, controlled the glass with 11 rebounds and nine points, including the pivotal late block. Page finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, and Weiss added 16 points.

For Texas-San Antonio, Hardaway, a guard from Jonesboro, Arkansas, led the way with 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Cheyenne Rowe of Ajax, Canada, scored 15 points, and Damara Allen of Aurora, Colorado, added 12.

The Roadrunners outscored Columbia 38-32 in the paint and shot a higher percentage from the field, 47.3% to 40.4%, but were ultimately undone by the Lions’ superior activity and clutch plays down the stretch.

Columbia next travels to face Florida Gulf Coast on Monday, Dec. 29. Texas-San Antonio returns home to host Tulane on Tuesday, Dec. 30.