The Harvard women's basketball team entered Levien Gym in New York City Saturday night looking for its thirteenth consecutive Ivy League victory.

But the number 13 almost lived up to its unlucky billing for the Ivy League-leading Crimson, who struggled defensively in the first half against Columbia before running away after intermission to win, 87-67.

Despite its defensive lapse in the first half, Harvard (18-3, 9-0 Ivy League) still led at halftime, 43-38, thanks to scorching shooting (56 percent) from the field and some brilliant passing.

Tri-Captains Sharon Hayes and Barb Keffer led the team in scoring, with 24 and 23 points respectively. Junior Sarah Duncan added 16 points while Tri-Captain Beth Chandler tallied 14 points and secured eight rebounds.

"Our fast break was working and our passing was really good," Duncan said. "Columbia's defense was disorganized."

With five seniors on the team, Harvard's passing has been excellent all season due to the players' familiarity with each other. Saturday night was no different as Duncan dished out six assists, guard Heidi Kosh added five, and Hayes, Keffer, and senior forward Nancy Cibotti each contributed four to the team's total of 24 assists.

But unlucky 13 almost blocked the Crimson's path to victory--literally.

Thirteen, as in Columbia's number 13, Kathy Gilbert. The Lions' freshman center single-handedly almost beat Harvard, scoring 16 points, grabbing a career-high 22 rebounds and blocking seven shots, all in the first half.

"We had a lot of trouble boxing [Gilbert] out," Chandler said. "In our defensive rotation, we don't always get somebody tall on her and at 6-ft., 3-in., she is able to come over and get the rebound without drawing a foul."

Gilbert wasn't the only unlucky element on the court Harvard's own defensive problems in the first half almost left Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney Smith in a luckless state.

"Our defense in the first half was abominable," Duncan said.

Crimson, 87-67 at Levien Gym, New York. N.Y. Harvard  43-44--87 Cornell  38-29--67

HARVARD [87]: Sharon Hayes 10-4--24; Sarah Duncan 7-1--16; Beth Chandler 7-0--14; Barbarann Keffer 9-3--23; Heidi Kosh 2-0--4; Nancy Cibotti 2-0--4; Mary Baldauf 1-0--2.

Totals: 38-71 8-15 87.

COLUMBIA [67]: Kristina Tyer 6-4--16; Christina Dugger 3-0--6; Kathy Gilbert 7-2--16; Charlene Schuessler 3-1--7; Jenny Beubis 3-2--8; Debbie Persico 0-0--0; Erika Wilson 0-0--0; Charlene Williams 3-0--6; Karin Kolstad 3-2--8.

Totals: 28-72 11-15 67.

Three-pointers: Duncan, Keffer 2. Fouled out: none. Total fouls: Harvard 16; Columbia 15. Assists: Harvard 24 (Duncan 6); Columbia 13 (Schuessler 6). Turnovers: Harvard 12; Columbia 14. Rebounds: Harvard 40 (Chandler 8); Columbia 45 (Gilbert 22).