NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. -- Despite a career-high 33 points by sophomore forward Alyssa James, Binghamton (3-6) was defeated 71-64 by Columbia (6-3) in a non-conference women's basketball game on Wednesday night at Levien Gymnasium. The game was the Bearcats' second in three days.

James shot 14-of-21 from the field and 5-of-8 from the free throw line. She is the first Binghamton player to reach the 30-point mark since Erica Carter drained 35 points at Bryant on Dec. 7, 2009.

In addition, James' performance ties the eighth-best single-game total in program history and is the third-best mark during the program's 15-year NCAA Division I era. The program record of 38 points is shared by Jen Gaeta (against Potsdam on Dec. 10, 1993) and Bess Greenberg (against Franklin Pierce on Feb. 27, 1999). In the Division I era, the record of 35 points is shared by Carter and Sarah Cartmill, who reached that total against Hartfford on Feb. 17, 2002.

James also grabbed six rebounds and had a game-high three blocks, all of which came in the first half. She came into the game leading the America East with 2.6 blocks per contest.

Also coming up with impressive performances against Columbia were sophomore guard Imani Watkins and freshman guard Rebecca Carmody. Watkins finished with 11 points, five rebounds and tied her career high with eight assists. Carmody, meanwhile, had eight points, a game-high and career-high 14 rebounds, five assists and a game-high four steals.

"I am very proud of our effort tonight," head coach Linda Cimino said. "Alyssa had a great game and our guards did a very good job of getting the ball to her."

James had 17 of her points in the first half as the Bearcats were within 41-35 at the break. The two squads had been tied 18-18 after the opening period of play but the Lions went on an 11-4 run to go up 34-27 with 5:35 left in the first half.

Columbia built its lead up to 71-58 with 2:18 left in regulation but Binghamton wouldn't quit and scored the final six points of the game. James netted her final two points during that stretch.

Devon Roper led Columbia with 20 points. Tori Oliver and Alexa Giuliano each added 12 points while Camille Zimmerman chipped in 11 points. Giuliano also had 10 rebounds to record the lone double-double of the game.

Once again, Binghamton took care of the basketball, finishing the game with 20 assists and turning the ball over just 13 times. 

Up next for Binghamton is a Saturday game at Sacred Heart starting at 1 p.m.

NOTES: James is now averaging a team-best 17.4 points per game. She has scored at least 20 points so far this season ... Carmody has now reached double figures in rebounding twice this season ... Watkins' previous eight-assist performance came at New Hampshire on Jan. 17, 2015. ... the Bearcats' last three defeats, all on the road, have come by a combined total of 18 points. The combined records of those three opponents (Xavier, Brown and Columbia) is currently 20-6.