The varsity quintet relapsed into the bad habit of losing Saturday night, by frittering away a nine-point lead in the final three and a half minutes against Cornell at Ithaca. The 67-63 loss was the fourth against three victories for the Crimson in league competition. A three-point play by Big Red captain Lou Jordan with 26 seconds remaining vaulted the home team into the lead.

Having defeated Columbia the previous night without the services of Bob Bowditch, the Crimson appeared to be able to do without him. But when his able replacement, Dave Grayer, fouled out with five minutes left, the varsity was in trouble, especially as Bob Repetto followed Grayer to the bench via the same route shortly thereafter.

This deficiency in forwards proved to be the Crimson's downfall, for the play of starting guards George Harrington and Mike Donohue left little to be desired. Donohue, left little to be desired. Donohue, out of his recent slump, kept the varsity in front throughout the second half, notching 17 of his 21 points in that stanza. Harrington was second high man with 17.

Grayer was also impressive, completing a successful week-end of play by hitting for 14 points before fouling out, but Repetto and Griff McClellan, both of whom had hit double figures against Corlumbia, slipped sadly, scoring two and four points respectively.

The first half was a see-saw battle most of the way, with the Crimson achieving a 32-33 advantage in the last minute. The varsity gradually increased its margin to 60 to 51, but then began to miss easy the opportunity to catch up and win the contest.

Both squads scored 23 times from the floor, with the varsity hitting for 40 per cent, compared with the Ithacans' 35 per cent. The difference was from the foul line, however, for although both squads converted 80 per cent of their free throws, Harvard committed more personals, and Cornell took advantage of this.