CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Despite battling back from a 17-point deficit, Harvard women's basketball (8-7, 1-1 Ivy) fell in the final seconds against Columbia (10-5, 1-1 Ivy), 58-55. 

Abigail Wright recorded her fifth 20-piece of the season to pace the Harvard offense, shooting 8-of-15 from the field while also grabbing six boards. 

How it Happened

Columbia controlled the contest in the first, jumping in front with the first nine points and growing its lead to as much as 17.  Harvard lessened the deficit in the frame as a 7-1 run placed the game at 21-10 after 10 minutes. 

The Lions continued their pressure in the second but six forced turnovers from the Harvard defense put the score at a manageable 34-21 heading into the locker room.

The deficit returned to 17 as Columbia notched the first two buckets of the second half before Harvard came to life, fueled by a sold-out Lavietes Pavilion.  An 8-0 Harvard run put the Crimson within three possessions of the lead.  Karlee White then notched three consecutive Harvard baskets to put the Crimson down just one with 2:13 left in the third.  After being down big, Harvard used a powerful defensive effort to tie the game at 47-47 with 10 minutes remaining.  The Crimson outscored the Lions 26-13 and shot 66.7% from the field to fuel the comeback.

The final frame was a low-scoring defensive battle as the Crimson ultimately took over the lead, but the Lions prevailed following a last-second bucket.  The contest remained tied until the 1:36 mark but the Lions recorded the final bucket of the game to slip away with a 58-55 victory. 

Harvard and Columbia will renew their rivalry in the final game of the regular season on March 7 in New York City. 

Harvard Highlight

• Abigail Wright led the Crimson's offense with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting.  Along with her fifth 20-piece, the junior also grabbed six boards. 
• Karlee White came alive in the second half, notching 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.  Overall, the junior captain contributed 13 points and four rebounds in the game. 
• Saniyah Glenn-Bello was the final Crimson player in double figures adding 12 points. 
• Olivia Jones provided a gritty performance, leading the Crimson in rebounds and steals with eight boards and three takeaways. 
• Despite the loss, Harvard showed its fight battling back from 17 points down to overtake the lead in the third quarter. 

Next Up

Harvard will return to the road next weekend to take on Penn on Saturday, January 17 at 2:00 p.m. ET and Princeton on Monday, January 19 at 2:00 p.m. ET.