On Friday, February 18, the Columbia Women’s Basketball Team beat the Harvard Crimson by four points in an exhilarating match. Caroline Mullooly and Rachel Powell report.

Over 1,000 fans came out on Friday to cheer for the Lions against the Harvard Crimson. This match was the annual #Pray4Kay game, named after the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to raise awareness for the disease. The game celebrated Barnard Night and honored current Barnard basketball players and alumni, including Ivy League Basketball Legend Helen Doyle Yeager (BC ‘85). President Beilock attended the game and posed with the group of players and alumni for a picture. Harvard Head Coach Kathy Delaney Smith also announced her retirement after 40 years of coaching, with the game being her last one in Levien Gymnasium. 

Columbia’s starting lineup—Jaida Patrick (CC ‘23), Kaitlyn Davis (CC ‘23), Carly Rivera (SEAS ‘23), Kitty Henderson (CC ‘25), and Abbey Hsu (CC ‘24)—were met with loud cheers from the sizable crowd. Patrick and Davis stood out as lead scorers in this game, with 20 and 18 points respectively, while Rivera made crucial assists and Henderson secured 7 defensive rebounds. Hsu also set the regular season’s record for 3-pointers. It was a close game all the way to the end, with the Lions winning by just four points. The final score was 74-70.

The Lions also beat the Dartmouth Big Green 66-42 yesterday at their annual Pride Night, and they will proceed to play in the Ivy League Tournament in March.

First Half

From the moment that Columbia won the tip-off, the game exploded with energy. Harvard stole the ball and scored, followed closely by Patrick making two baskets in quick succession. Columbia maintained its lead until the final minutes of the first quarter when Harvard scored a 3-pointer and began to turn the tide. The quarter ended with a basket from Davis, assisted by Rivera and Mikayla Markham (CC ‘22), with Harvard leading 19-18. The energy, and the crowd, continued to grow during the second quarter, and Hsu widened Columbia’s lead with a 3-pointer right before halftime. 

Halftime: Columbia 35-31

Halftime included an energetic mash-up by the Columbia Dance Team of “Think” and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, and a video that featured Black Columbia student-athletes reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy—and how we must improve upon it in today’s society.

Second Half

During the third quarter, the score stayed close, and it was still anyone’s game. Patrick started the quarter with a free throw and a 3-pointer, and Davis made two free throws and two baskets. The two teams were briefly tied 50-50, but after a basket from Rivera, Columbia began to pull ahead. The third quarter ended 54-52, with Columbia in the lead. Both Rivera and Noa Comesaña (BC ‘25) scored at the start of the fourth quarter, helping to maintain Columbia’s lead. The final period was exciting, with frequent free throws and steals keeping the crowd on its toes. In the end, Columbia beat Harvard by four points. 

Final score: Columbia 74-70

Columbia’s next game will likely decide who will win the Ivy League Conference. The Lions will be at home against Princeton on Wednesday, February 23 at 5 pm.

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