NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — Perri Page’s layup as time expired lifted Columbia to a 54-53 victory over Seton Hall in a nonconference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Prudential Center. The Lions, who led by as many as nine in the first half, survived a late rally by the Pirates. Seton Hall’s Savannah Catalon made two free throws with 1:39 remaining to give her team a 53-52 edge, but Columbia answered with a Fliss Henderson layup before Page’s game-winner. Page finished with 15 points for Columbia, which improved to 7-4. Catalon led all scorers with 16 points for Seton Hall, which fell to 5-3 before an announced crowd of 1,195.

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by grit over grace, the Columbia Lions edged the Seton Hall Pirates 54-53 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Prudential Center. The game, witnessed by an announced crowd of 1,195, was decided in the final seconds as Columbia’s Perri Page converted a decisive layup with eight seconds remaining. The Lions then survived a frantic final sequence, including a missed Seton Hall jumper and two unsuccessful Pirates’ timeouts, to secure the one-point victory. The contest was a stark contrast in styles and rhythms. Columbia, improving to 7-4, relied on methodical execution and key contributions across its international roster. Seton Hall, which fell to 5-3, leaned heavily on the dynamic scoring of guard Savannah Catalon but ultimately could not overcome a stagnant fourth-quarter offensive performance. Columbia established a narrow early lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 16-17 despite Seton Hall’s Catalon scoring nine points in the period. The Lions’ defense, however, began to impose its will. The Pirates managed only 13 points in the second quarter and eight in the decisive fourth, shooting a collective 29.5% from the floor for the game. Columbia was scarcely better offensively at 32.8%, turning the game into a battle of attrition. The most important part of the game unfolded in the final two minutes. With Seton Hall clinging to a 53-52 lead after two Catalon free throws, Columbia needed a response. Following a timeout, the Lions worked the ball inside to Page, who powered through contact for the go-ahead score. Seton Hall’s ensuing possession resulted in a challenged jump shot by Jada Eads that missed, and a scramble for the loose ball led to the Pirates calling back-to-back timeouts they did not have, resulting in a technical foul. Columbia missed the ensuing free throw but secured the final rebound as time expired. Page, a junior from Pittsburgh, led Columbia with 15 points and nine rebounds, including the game-winning basket. She was supported by Fliss Henderson of Australia, who added 10 points and three assists, and Riley Weiss of Hewlett, New York, who also scored 10. The Lions’ defense was anchored by Susie Rafiu of England, who contributed three steals and a critical block. Seton Hall was carried by Catalon, a sophomore from Mansfield, Texas, who scored a game-high 16 points and added four steals. Jada Eads of Orlando, Florida, provided 15 points, but the Pirates’ offense faltered down the stretch, scoring just two field goals in the final six minutes. Columbia’s victory, its third straight, defied the pregame analytics from National Statistical’s ELO system, which gave Seton Hall a 56.3% probability to win. The Lions now look ahead to a home game against Texas-San Antonio on Dec. 20. Seton Hall, which has lost two of its last three, will host Auburn on Dec. 14.

Preview of Tuesday’s Women’s Basketball Game: Columbia at Seton Hall NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — The Columbia Lions look to extend a three-game winning streak when they visit the Seton Hall Pirates in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup Tuesday night at Prudential Center. Columbia (6-4) enters off a dominant 82-42 home victory over Wagner on Saturday. The Lions have averaged 82.7 points during their current streak, which also includes wins over Manhattan and South Dakota State. Seton Hall (5-2), meanwhile, aims to rebound from a 61-53 road loss at North Carolina State on Sunday, which snapped a two-game win streak. A key matchup will feature Columbia’s versatile guard Fliss Henderson against Seton Hall’s high-scoring Mariana Valenzuela. Henderson is coming off a strong all-around performance against Wagner, posting 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes. Over her last five games, she has averaged 9.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Valenzuela has been a consistent offensive force for the Pirates. She scored a season-high 25 points in a win over Butler on Dec. 4 and is averaging 17.1 points per game this season. Her ability to score from multiple levels will challenge a Columbia defense that has held its last three opponents under 43 points each. The Lions have shown a balanced attack. In the win over Wagner, Riley Weiss scored 16 points and Susie Rafiu added 12 points, four rebounds and four assists. Columbia’s early schedule has been a mix of blowouts and tight contests, including a 95-92 overtime loss at Kansas State. Seton Hall’s resume includes a 90-83 double-overtime win over Fordham and a competitive 82-78 loss at Princeton. The Pirates have relied on Valenzuela’s scoring and a defense that held four of its first six opponents under 70 points before Sunday’s loss. This is the final nonconference home game for Seton Hall before it begins Big East play later this month. Columbia continues its road stretch before returning home Dec. 20 against Texas-San Antonio. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Tuesday at Prudential Center.