NEW YORK - Columbia women's basketball led by as many as seven in the second half but dropped a 61-47 decision to Wagner Wednesday night at Levien Gym.

Columbia (0-3) dropped its third straight match of the season as Wager (1-1) earned its first victory.

Senior Brittany Simmons led the Lions with 11 points to go with seven rebounds and four steals, while Courtney Bradford scored 10 points along with six boards and two blocks. A pair of first-years stepped it up in a big way, as Bailey Ott pulled down nine boards and posted nine points, while Sara Mead recorded nine points, a team-high four assists and three steals.

Columbia got off to a rough start but hit some timely three-pointers to stay in the game. With Wagner leading by as much as 15-8 at the 10-minute mark, the Lions rallied with a 10-0 run that was topped off with back-to-back three-pointers by Simmons and Ott to make Columbia within three points.

With just over 30 seconds to go in the half, Wagner was ahead 27-24, but the Lions ran it back for a two and-one by Tyler Simpson to even the score and followed up with two more free throws by Mead to give the Lions a 29-27 halftime advantage.

Sophomore Caitlyn Unsworth opened the second half with another three-pointer for the Lions en route to a 7-2 run that put Columbia ahead, 36-30. The Seahawks responded with 11 unanswered points to take a 41-36 advantage with 14:10 on the clock.

Mead knocked down her second from deep and Simmons followed with a jumper to tie things up, 41-41, with just over 12 minutes remaining. But Stephanie Blais had a fast break in the paint for the Seahawks that pushed Wagner into the lead for good.

The Lions will look to bounce back on Sunday, November 18 for a 2 p.m. tipoff with Morgan State in Levien Gymnasium.