Sophomore point guard Jenn Monit air-balled a three-pointer, that Kelley pulled down and hit three-ball from the side pocket to cut the Lion lead to 59-56 with 11.2 seconds left.

After two immediate Harvard fouls, Columbia iced the game--and Harvard's optimism--with three successful free throws.

The Crimson was disappointed, but there was a slight hope still out there. The Lions, who would travel to Hanover Saturday, held in their claws the fate of the very team they had just beaten. A Columbia win over Dartmouth coupled with a Harvard win over Cornell would have kept the Crimson just one game behind the Big Green.

Harvard held up its end of the bargain, playing like a finely tuned machine, winning 68-58 while building a steady lead throughout the game.

Sophomore guard Laura Barnard had her career game so far, hitting 4-of-9 three-pointers for 17 points off the bench. Her previous high was seven. She also dished out a career-high four assists.

The Crimson also forced 21 Big Red turnovers while giving up just 12.

But it would be too little, too late.

At the end of the game, word from Hanover showed Columbia tied with Dartmouth. It was good news at the time that wouldn't last the night.