It was not the way it was supposed to happen.

The Harvard women's basketball team was 5-0. The University of Hartford, a woeful 0-4, had been beaten easily by teams like Boston College--which the Crimson beat earlier in the season--and perenially weak Columbia. Harvard was supposed to make a quick trip down to Connecticut and return a few hours later with the win in hand.

But basketball games are not won on paper, and when it came time to play the Hawks walked away with a 99-86 win and a major upset last night at Hartford's Physical Education Center.

The Crimson started off poorly and managed to shoot only 38 percent from the floor in the first half. Lucky to be trailing by only two, 43-41, at the half, Harvard came out strong in the third quarter. The Crimson seized an early lead and held a comfortable 10-point margin for most of the second half.

But with just over three minutes to go in the game, the Hawks charged back for their first lead of the second half. Shooting an amazing 61 percent in the second half, Hartford stole the momentum away from the visiting Crimson.

"They got some big baskets but it was our own weak play that cost us," Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney Smith said. "We really tightened up in the last few minutes."

Hartford was helped by Harvard's fouling--the Hawks received the bonus only eight minutes into the second half, and took advantage with 73 percent foul shooting. Hartford's Sue Tremblay scored 12 points from the line and led the Hawks with 24 points overall.

The Hawks also beat the Crimson on the boards, trouncing Harvard, 48-36, off the glass. More significantly, Hartford's Hope Kelly grabbed 12 rebounds from her point guard position.

Harvard and Hartford have met twice previous to last night's game, (in 1984 and '85) with the Crimson taking both contests. The Hawks had all but one of last year's lettermen returning, but so did the Crimson--which graduated only guard Trisha Brown.

Besides the strong showing by Kelly, Hawk Karen Ringland chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Last year's leading scorer for Hartford, Ringland proved a major challenge to Harvard's improved inside game.

One of the only bright spots for the Crimson was another strong showing by Sarah Duncan. The junior forward led Harvard with 24 points and seven rebounds. Tri-captain Barb Keffer netted 14 points while sophomore Heidi Kosh dished out four of Harvard's 10 assists.

"We just didn't come ready to play," Delaney Smith said. "Hartford is a team we should have beaten. We played at a level much lower than we have over the rest of the season."

Harvard has made one of its strongest starts this year, capturing both the Boston Four and the Harvard Invitational Tournament titles. In its opening weekend, the Crimson defeated Hub foes Boston College and Boston University.

But the Crimson will not have long to reflect on the loss. Harvard hosts a tough University of Vermont team Saturday afternoon at Briggs Cage.

"Vermont is always tough and they have a really good inside player who we will have to control," Delaney Smith said. Hawks, 99-86 at Hartford Physical Education Center Harvard  41-45--86 Hartford  43-56--99

HARVARD (86): Sharon Hayes 4-3--11; Sarah Duncan 8-5--24; Beth Chandler 3-2--8; Mary Baldauf 4-2--10; Barb Keffer 5-3--14; Heidi Kosh 2-3--7; Nancy Cibotti 4-2--10; Beth Wambach 0-0--0; Johanna Fink 1-0--2; Dina Hadrick 0-0--0.

Totals: 31-70 20-30 86.

HARTFORD (99): Cheryl Brooks 3-3--9; Sue Tremblay 6-12--24; Karen Ringland 4-2--10; Betsy Anderson 3-4--11; Hope Kelly 4-4--15; Pauleen Frisina 8-3--20; Patrice Ward 5-0--10.

Totals: 33-67 28-36 99.

Three-pointers: Duncan 3, Keffer, Kelly 3, Anderson, Frisina. Fouled out: None. Assists: Harvard 10 (Kosh 4); Hartford 17 (Kelly, Frisina 6). Turnovers: Harvard 14; Hartford 18. Rebounds: Harvard 36 (Duncan 7); Hartford 48 (Kelly 12).