Sophomore Madeline Raster had 11 points and three rebounds to lead Harvard against Princeton. (The Ivy League)

PHILADELPHIA – Sophomores Madeline Raster and Sydney Skinner each scored 11 points for the Harvard women's basketball team (20-8, 8-6 Ivy League), but the Crimson fell to Princeton (16-12, 9-5 Ivy League) by a score of 68-47 in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal round Saturday evening.

Bella Alaire paced the Tigers with 17 points and 16 rebounds, while Leslie Robinson had 15 and 11.

The Crimson shot 18-of-63 (.286) for the game, while Princeton connected on 42.3 percent (22-of-52) of its chances.

Harvard had a slow start, but answered on a drive by Raster and fadeaway jumper from Destiny Nunley to make it a 5-4 game at the first media timeout.

The Crimson continued to stay in striking distance with good defense, cutting the Tigers' lead back to one on back-to-back steals, the first leading to a Raster layup, and the second a Katie Benzan three to make it 10-9 Princeton.

Harvard stayed within one point thanks to a clutch offensive rebound and putback by Taylor Rooks as the first quarter buzzer expired to make it 12-11.

Jeannie Boehm got going in the second quarter, hitting back-to-back layups to help Harvard keep pace.

Princeton used a 9-0 run to take a nine-point lead heading into the break, as the Crimson were held scoreless over the final 5:14 of the second quarter.

The Tigers began the second half on a run to extend to 34-18, forcing a timeout 2:50 into it. 18-2 run extending into the second half. Skinner kept the Princeton lead in check, scoring 10 points in the third quarter, including a three pointer to make it 41-28 with 2:52 to go in the third quarter. But a 9-3 Princeton run to end the frame put the Tigers up 49-31 heading into the fourth.

The Crimson continued to fight, as Boehm hit a scoop shot in the lane, and Benzan's three in transition pulled the Crimson to within 14.

Harvard got the lead to 10 points on a 6-0 run midway through the fourth quarter, capped off by Benzan's baseline jumper with 6:10 to go to make it 52-42.

But a 7-0 Princeton run put the game out of reach for good.