Columbia Women’s Basketball 2024-25: A historic season in review

In a strong year for the program, Columbia Women’s Basketball made history with its first NCAA Tournament win and a share of the Ivy League crown.

Photo by Abigail Rabbitt/The Barnard Bulletin

By Katie Denissen

April 27, 2025

When the final buzzer sounded in Chapel Hill, ending Columbia’s NCAA Tournament run with a 78-59 loss to West Virginia University, there was disappointment — but there was also pride. The Lions had made history just days earlier with their first-ever March Madness win, a hard-fought 63-60 victory over Washington in the First Four. It was a moment years in the making, defining not just the end of a season but the continuation of the program’s steady, determined rise under Head Coach Megan Griffith. 

After the graduation of Abbey Hsu (CC ’24), Columbia’s all-time leading scorer and newly minted WNBA draftee, the players had big shoes to fill. Hsu’s departure marked the end of an era, but it also set the stage for a new chapter. Rather than rebuilding, the Lions reloaded, with returning players stepping up and new leaders emerging to carry the program forward. 

The Columbia Lions women’s basketball team concluded the 2024-25 season with a remarkable 24-7 overall record and a 13-1 record in Ivy League play, clinching a share of the Ivy League title. 

Senior guard Kitty Henderson (CC ’25) cemented her legacy as Columbia’s winningest player, amassing a career record of 100-27. Throughout the season, she led the team with averages of 4.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game and contributed 6.2 rebounds per game. Notably, Henderson recorded the second triple-double in program history, tallying 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory over Brown University.

In her two seasons with Columbia after transferring from Bucknell University, senior guard Cecelia Collins (CC ’25) was instrumental in the team’s success, contributing to 47 wins. During the 2024-25 season, Collins averaged 4.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game, showcasing her versatility on the court. She also achieved a triple-double this season, marking only the second time in NCAA history that two teammates recorded triple-doubles in the same season.

Sophomore guard Riley Weiss (CC ’27) emerged as a key offensive force, leading the team with an average of 17.8 points per game. Her performance earned her a spot on the All-Ivy First Team (a group of top players in the Ivy League, as recognized by the Ivy League Athletic Conference) alongside Henderson, making Columbia the only Ivy League this season with two First Team honorees. This also marked the second time in program history that two Columbia Women’s Basketball teammates won First Team honors together, the first duo being Abbey Hsu (CC ’24) and Kaitlyn Davis (CC ’23) during the 2022-23 season. Along with 71 three-pointers — averaging 3.1 per game — Weiss’ exceptional free-throw accuracy was evident with an 87.5% success rate, making her one of the most reliable shooters in the Ivy League. 

Despite landing on top in the conference for offensive scoring, with an average of 72.6 points per game, Columbia’s 2024-25 season was about more than just results. With a strong returning core and a culture built on hard work and unity, the team continued to establish itself as a consistent contender in the Ivy League and beyond.

Their NCAA Tournament win over the University of Washington — Columbia’s first in program history — was a milestone that reflected just how far the team has come under Head Coach Megan Griffith. It was a composed, team-oriented performance, led by strong contributions from both veteran and new players. Kitty Henderson and Cecelia Collins leave behind a lasting legacy. Henderson’s all-around impact and record-setting career made her a central figure in Columbia’s rise over the past four years. Collins, despite only playing two seasons at Columbia after transferring from Bucknell, quickly became a key leader with her strong two-way play.

Columbia’s success this season also reflects the broader momentum in women’s basketball. With growing national interest and media coverage, the sport is gaining long-overdue recognition. From sold-out arenas to national broadcasts, Caitlin Clark’s logo threes to Columbia’s own Cinderella moment, women’s basketball is having a moment.

The Lions are part of this shift, contributing to a changing perception of what women’s sports can look like on campus and beyond. As the team looks ahead, the foundation built this season through experience, culture, and confidence offers plenty of reason for optimism. And while the seniors move on, their contributions have helped pave the way for what’s next.