The Brown University men's basketball team secured its inaugural Ivy League victory with an 86-80 overtime win against Columbia on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island. The closely contested game featured 17 lead changes and 15 ties, highlighting the intensity of the matchup. Brown's record now stands at 7-9 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while Columbia falls to 12-5 overall and 1-2 in the Ivy League.
In a hard-fought Ivy League contest at the Pizzitola Sports Center, the Brown Bears overcame the Columbia Lions in overtime, 86-80, marking their first conference win of the season. The game, played on January 17, 2026, in Providence, R.I., was a back-and-forth affair that saw 17 lead changes and 15 ties, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
Brown, entering the matchup with a 7-9 overall record and 0-2 in Ivy League play, desperately needed this victory to gain momentum in the conference. Columbia, boasting a stronger 12-5 overall mark but also 0-2 in league games, pushed hard but could not seize control in the extra period. The Lions were unable to grab a lead during overtime, allowing Brown to pull away for the triumph.
This win provides a crucial boost for the Bears as they look ahead to their next game on January 19. For Columbia, the loss tempers their solid season but underscores the competitiveness of Ivy League basketball. Both teams now share a 1-2 conference record, setting the stage for intense rivalries ahead.
