LIVE: Harvard vs Maryland at Hartford, Conn.

Live from the Hartford Civic Center, the Harvard women's basketball team faces off against defending champion Maryland in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Harvard looks to continue its 12 game win streak against a squad that returned all five starters from its championship team. The two teams last met November 29, 1997 with the Terrapins coming out on top 81-61.


MARYLAND 89, HARVARD 65

END OF THE GAME


1:15- Senior Kyle Dalton, in her last collegiate game, comes in for Niki Finelli. Adrien Budischak completes a three point play.


2:17- Shay Doron cannot miss. The senior drops another three-ball.


3:24- Harvard fights back once more and Maryland takes a timeout to think it over.


4:35- Traveling once again, this time on Maryland.


6:38- The Terrapins have entered the bonus range. The Crimson convert two fouls, one on Maryland center Crystal Langhorne, for three points.


7:12- Tay has the hot hand for Harvard, dropping another three.


7:54- It seems that once Harvard gets something going right, the Terrapins quickly adapt to and frustrate the resurging Crimson. With the score at 65-44, Maryland continues to add the lead through dominace down low. Again, Harvard cannot match up in the post, providing second chance opportunities off the rebound.


10:20- The Crimson are hot from beyond the arc. Jessica Knox, assisted by Tay, drops the bomb from beyond the arc.


11:36- Harvard converts turnover into fast break point. Using the momentum, increased pressure on the defensive end causes the Terrapins to turnover the ball once again.


12:36- Emily Tay, who has been providing the offense in this half, draws the foul on fast break and completes the three-point play.


14:28- Shay Doron, once a potential recruit for the Crimson, proves to be a nuisance for Harvard. The senior is shooting well from the field and creating for her teammates offensively.


16:00- The Terrapins have settled into a groove once again. Defensive errors are being picked apart by Maryland and pressure on the other end is troubling Harvard, the result: easy baskets and Crimson turnovers.


The Crimson come out strong early on and net two quick baskets. Maryland quickly adjusts to the renewed effort.

START OF THE SECOND HALF

END OF THE FIRST HALF

Maryland 38, Harvard 25

The Crimson will have a lot to think about heading into the locker rooms. Maryland exploited holes in the Crimson defense to provide easy baskets.

Harvard, which has excelled in low post play this season, was outplayed down low. The Terrapins netted 26 points in the paint compared to 6 for the Crimson. Lackner's absence due to early foul trouble definetely played a part in the poor performance. The senior scored five points in six minutes of action but sat the rest of the half.

Similarly, Maryland crashed the boards, outrebounding the Crimson 23 to 15.


3:19- Maryland gets its groove back and rolls out to a 34-21 advantage as Terrapins exploit holes in the Crimson defense. Screens are proving particularly troublesome for Harvard to handle.

6:48- The Crimson pick up the defensive pressure causing fewer shots to fall in the opponents end. Offensively, Harvard starts seeing more shots fall. Two quick shots cause the Terrapins to call timeout to think it over.


9:28- More foul trouble as Harvard picks up two quick personals. The infractions send Maryland to the line for easy points.


9:49- Tindal ends scoring slump with a three from the top of the arc.


11:45- The Crimson miss three straight shots while Maryland converts each time on the other end. Rollins returns for Moretzsohn. Jessica Knox in for Emily Tay. The Terrapins have a slight 14-9 advantage. Media timeout.


14:13- Lackner picks up third personal foul on a moving screen. The Crimson will lose a strong defender and rebounding presence for much of the half.


15:32- Lackner picks up second foul.


15:45- Christiana Lackner draws foul while trying to get defensive rebound. Media timeout with score tied at 7 apiece. A few early turnovers have caused a little trouble for both squads. Emma Moretzsohn in for Katie Rollins.

17:47- Shay Doron lands a three for Maryland but Niki Finelli puts the Crimson back out in front with a three of her own.

18:36- Katie Rollins lands first basket of the game.

20:00- Game time!!!  Harvard wins the tipoff. Quick turnover by the Crimson but tough defense forces the travel on the Terrapins.

BEGINNING OF THE FIRST HALF


T-minus 4 minutes: Harvard gathers in its traditional half-court huddle as the Harvard supporters let out a simultaneous cheer.


T-minus 10 minutes: Tipoff has been officially scheduled to occur in 10 minutes. The short drive from the Harvard campus to Hartford allowed a large group of students to make the trip; a sizeable pro-Crimson crowd, all decked in red, lines the seats behind press row.


T-minus 16 minutes: From the media work room, the live blog is up and running. The game, although scheduled for a 2:30 tipoff, looks like its going to start a little behind schedule. Further details to come.

- VINCENT R. OLETU