Box Score NEW YORK – Harvard returned to the court for the first time since Jan. 7 and defeated Columbia on the road, 91-82, Saturday afternoon inside Levien Gymnasium. Four Crimson players reached double figures in scoring with Noah Kirkwood leading the way with a career-high-tying 28 points.
 
The Crimson, which was playing just its second game since Dec. 21, improved to 9-5 on the season (1-1 Ivy League). The Lions, meanwhile, fell to 4-11 and 1-2 in conference action.
 
Both teams found the bottom of the net early and often in the first half as each shot nearly 50 percent from the field (Columbia - .516; Harvard - .474) and from deep (Harvard - .471, Columbia - .438). As a result of the hot shooting, neither was able to truly pull away even though the Crimson scored eight unanswered at one point to take a 39-28 lead with 4:31 left in the period. The Lions, however, finished the half by outscoring the visitors, 13-5, including a 6-0 closing run, to cut the Harvard lead to 44-41 at intermission.
 
Similar to the Crimson's last outing vs. Brown, Kale Catchings caught fire to start the second half. The senior surrounded a driving layup with two three-pointers to push the Harvard lead to 52-41 less than two minutes into the frame.
 
Despite experiencing some cold spells from the floor, the Crimson was able to keep the Lions at a comfortable distance for much of the second half. Harvard twice allowed Columbia to get within nine points, but otherwise enjoyed a double-figure lead. As the clock wound down, the Lions broke through the nine-point barrier, trimming their deficit to 84-76 with 2:36 to go. The Crimson, however, made 7-of-8 free throws in the final minute to squash any thoughts of a Columbia rally.

Harvard Highlights

• Noah Kirkwood matched his career high with 28 points, which he originally set vs. Brown on Feb. 22, 2019. The senior tied his season high with 10 field goals (10-20) and added a team-high six rebounds and five assists.
• Luka Sakota finished with 18 points, just one shy of his personal best. The junior matched his career high with four three-pointers, something he also accomplished at Siena.
• Kale Catchings scored 14 points, which was a season-high vs. a Division-I opponent. He connected on a career-high six field goals (6-9).
• Louis Lesmond started for the third time this season and registered 10 points. The first-year has reached double figures in scoring five times.
• Denham Wojcik made the first start of his career in his 14^th career game and tied his season high with six points.
• Evan Nelson made his Division I debut mid-way through the first half and had nine points in 23 minutes.

Game Notes

• Harvard improved to 16-3 in the game following its last 19 defeats and is now 4-1 after losses this season.
• The Crimson won its sixth straight game vs. the Lions and is 7-1 vs. Columbia in the last eight match-ups.
• Harvard won its Ivy League road opener for the second straight season.
• Harvard shot 50.7 percent from the field, including 54.8 percent in the second half.
• The Crimson was 13-for-29 from three-point range, good for 44.8 percent. It marked Harvard's first game with at least 10 treys since it made 11 at UMass on Dec. 4.
• Harvard's 91 points were its most this season vs. a Division-I foe.
• The Crimson committed just seven turnovers, while forcing 16. Harvard has logged seven turnovers in two straight games.

What's Next?

Harvard continues its three-game road trip on Monday night when it plays at Dartmouth. The Martin Luther King Day tilt is set for a 7 p.m. ET start on ESPN+.