NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Luka Sakota hit a three-pointer with 0.2 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, but the Harvard men's basketball team (1-1) ultimately fell to Iona (2-0) in overtime, 90-87, Saturday afternoon at Hynes Center.
 
The contest featured 11 lead changes and 10 ties, with the most dramatic occurring in the waning moments of the second half.  The Crimson trailed, 78-75, when Louis Lesmond drove the lane and kicked the ball out to the corner where Chris Ledlum lined up a three. The junior took a quick look and swung the ball to Sakota, who knocked down the bucket from deep.
 
In the OT period, the Gaels twice jumped out to a three-point lead in the first 1:55, but for the second straight game, Ledlum and Noah Kirkwood led the way, this time scoring back-to-back field goals, putting Harvard up, 84-83, with 1:10 to go.
 
A three-point play by Iona's Nelly Joseph moved the hosts ahead by three, but Ledlum responded by getting to the free-throw line and knocking down both attempts, knotting the score at 86. The Gaels later made four free throws down the stretch and despite the Crimson going 1-for-2 from the stripe with four seconds left, Harvard had one last look to tie the game. Kirkwood's three-ball as time expired, however, was off the mark.

Harvard Highlights

• For the second straight game, Chris Ledlum and Noah Kirkwood reached the 20-point plateau. Ledlum followed his 20-point season-opening effort with a game- and career-high 28 points. Kirkwood, meanwhile, finished with 23 points for the second game in a row.
• Kirkwood added a career-high-tying 11 rebounds to post his first double-double of the season and third of his career. He and Ledlum each have three career double-doubles.
• Kirkwood logged a career-high seven steals. The last time a Harvard player recorded at least that many thefts was when Wesley Saunders had seven at Vermont on Dec. 6, 2014. Kirkwood's previous best was three at Holy Cross (Nov. 22, 2019).
• Luka Sakota scored a career-high 10 points and Denham Wojcik added a personal-best four steals in 37 minutes off the bench.

Game Notes

• Harvard outrebounded Iona, 34-33. The Crimson has finished with more rebounds than its opponent in each of its two games this season.
• Harvard shot a season-best 52.8-percent from the floor.
• A game after recording 12 steals, Harvard returned to the floor and had 13 steals vs. Iona.
• After two games, Harvard is averaging 27 made free throws per game.

What's Next?

Harvard returns to the state of New York to face Albany on Wednesday. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN+.