In the Hunt: W. Cagers Take the Court in Search of Ivy Title

It's all very simple--in theory, that is.

The Harvard women's basketball team (12-11 overall, 9-2 Ivy) has only three games left in its season. To be guaranteed at least a share of the Ivy League title, all Harvard has to do is win all three games.

That, however, is much easier said than done.

Without question, this will be a nose-to-the-grindstone weekend for Harvard, as it rolls out the welcome matt for Yale (10-14, 5-7) and first-place Brown (20-4, 11-1).

The results of these contests will determine the significance of Harvard's season final on Tuesday against Dartmouth.

By all standards, the Crimson should have little to fear when the Elis pull into town tonight.

An offensive explosion from three-time Rookie of the Week Mary Kalich could make for an exciting game, but such a scenario is unlikely if Harvard continues its defensive intensity.

Freshman Tammy Butler and junior Debbie Flandermeyer should have no trouble blanketing the 6-ft. Kalich and effectively shutting down the Elis' scoring machine.

Outside of Kalich, the Bulldogs have scarce little to pull from their diminutive bag of tricks.

Maybe some assists from sophomore Maria Siambekos and a few buckets from Captain Sarah Jacobsen--but the firepower needed to defeat the Crimson just isn't there.

Like the rest of the league, Yale fields a young squad this season, a factor which could explain its lackluster record thus far. Whether the Elis come in tonight with more unity and maturity is to be determined.

But does it really matter?

Plain and simple, the Crimson must quickly dispose of the pesky Bulldogs and then push on to meet the season's biggest challenge--Brown.

Saturday Showdown

Assuming the Crimson rolls over the Bulldogs, the whole season will come down to tomorrow night's showdown.

Brown recently set a team record for the most victories collected in one season with 20. And they continue to roll, having won 19 of their last 21 games while holding opponents to a 35.3 field goal percentage (Fifth best in the nation).

On top of all that, the Bears' roster carries a freshman wonder that leaves Yale's Kalich in the dust. A five-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week, three-time ECAC Rookie of the Week, and one time Ivy League Player of the Week the 6'5" Martina Jerant is considered by many a leading candidate for Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors.

If Jerant wins the award, she will be the fifth straight Brown player to do so. There's got to be something in that Providence water.

"Martina has done a good job for us," Brown Coach Jean Marie Burr said. "She's kept us on a steady pace throughout the season."

Burr hesitates to comment on tomorrow night's game, standing firm on the standard "I take one game at a time" philosophy. The Bears face Dartmouth tonight in what should be a hardfought battle.

"It's a very exciting weekend for me," Burr said. "It's nice to have the three best teams playing [for the title] on the last weekend of the season."

Ivy League Standings Team  W-L  Pct. Brown  11 1  .917 HARVARD  9 2  .816 Dartmouth  8 3  .727 Princeton  6 6  .500 Yale  5 7  .417 Penn  4 8  .333 Cornell  3 9  .250 Columbia  1 11  .083