EASTON, Pa. – The Lafayette College women's basketball team dropped its 2021-22 season home opener, 72-59, to Columbia University on Thursday night in Kirby Sports Center.
 
The Leopards were led by sophomore Makayla Andrews who recorded 13 points. Senior Nicole Johnson totaled a season-high 11 points and junior Jessica Booth added eight points while dishing out a career-high eight assists.
 
Sophomore Aniya Matthews, sophomore Ashley Evans and freshman Kylie Favours all saw their first game action of the season in the Thursday night home opener.   
 
Columbia (3-0, 0-0 Ivy) won the tip and immediately opened up the game on a 4-0 run. Booth was the Leopard to break the Lions' run, putting in a layup to put Lafayette (0-3, 0-0 PL) on the board. With the score tied at seven with 6:16 left to play in the quarter the Lions pushed their lead out to 14, 24-10, by the end of the first 10 minutes of action.  
 
The Lions came out strong in the second 10 minutes of the first half, opening up the second quarter on a 6-0 run before sophomore Aniya Matthews broke the Lions' run with her first bucket as a Leopard, bringing the score to 30-12.
 
The Maroon and White battled back to within 11 at the end of the second half to make the score 36-25 at halftime.
 
Andrews tried to spark a Leopards' run to start off the third quarter, going on a 4-0 run of her own and pulling the Leopards within 10 with 8:14 left to play in the third quarter. Columbia pulled away and held the lead, 57-48, heading into the final quarter and eventually closed out the game with a 72-59 final score.

The Lions featured three players in double figures led by 17 points and 13 rebounds from Kaitlyn Davis. Columbia managed to post 30 points off turnovers. Menawhile, Lafayette out-rebounded Columbia, 43-32, leading to 10 second-chance points. 
 
Lafayette remains at home for its next game as the Leopards welcome Siena on Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip.