Columbia men’s basketball had something to prove when they played the Harvard Crimson this past Saturday. The Lions had plowed through the conference-worst Dartmouth Big Green the night before. If Columbians were to beat their rivals from Cambridge, they would find themselves firmly situated in third place in the conference.

Columbia’s John Daniels and Mark Cisco were on the sidelines with injuries, so several bench players saw significant playing time.

The banged-up lions started very slowly going the first four minutes of the game without a basket.

Columbia would finish the first half respectably, trailing only by 9 to a Harvard team that had compiled an impressive 8-1 conference record heading into the game.

However, Harvard would extend their lead much to the dismay of Columbia faithful.

Shooting guard Noruwa Agho, who had 19 points against Dartmouth, shot only 2-12 from the field on Saturday.

Harvard had four different players in double-digit point totals by game’s end. Columbia had none.

Harvard shot a perfect 100% from the free throw line, nailing 12 for 12 in the second period. Harvard also doubled Columbia in total rebounds.

The Lions would score the fewest number of points in a game since a 2007 loss to Albany. With the 61-42 defeat, Columbia’s conference record falls to 5-5, putting them in a tie for fourth place in the Ivy League. Columbia will play four more games this season, beginning with a two-game road series against Penn and the league best Princeton this upcoming weekend.