After a tough loss, most coaches would be disappointed. But for Harvard women's basketball Coach kathy Delaney Smith, it was a different story Saturday at Briggs Cage.

For the record, Maine defeated the Crimson, 59-55. Tough break for Harvard, which enters the winter break with a 3-5 record. That, however, didn't seem to frazzle Delaney Smith at all.

"It was a great game," Delaney Smith said. "Maine is a terrific team. They're either the best or one of the best teams we play all season. I am very, very proud that we stayed with them the whole game."

Not only did the Crimson (3-5) stay with the black Bears, it almost snagged a victory in the final minutes of the game. Trailing, 55-40, with only 4:20 left in the game, Harvard took a timeout, went back out and outscored Maine, 7-2, in the next two minutes. Taking her cue, Maura Healey then hit her first three-point shot, bringing the Crimson to within seven, 57-50.

After Maine turned the ball over, Healey brought the ball back down to the Crimson perimeter and in a repeat performance, sank another three-pointer, putting Harvard back in the race and forcing Maine to call time out with 1:27 left on the clock.

The Black Bears, however, regrouped and held Harvard to two points in the closing seconds of the game.

The Maine Problem

The turnover problem that has plagued the Crimson all season was alleviated Saturday only to be replaced by a deficiency from the perimeter and on the boards. During the first half, the Crimson shot a dismal 26 percent from the field and went into the intermission trailing, 31-24.

"We can't score 24 points in a half and expect to win. We were taking shots that were just not good shots," Healey said. "The game was lost in the first half."

Despite the poor shooting, defensive rebounding was Harvard's other big problem. The Crimson allowed 18 Black Bear offensive rebounds, most of which ended up in Harvard's basket. The Crimson's new defensive setup seemed to be the culprit behind this weak spot.

"We have a new zone defense, and the way it works usually leaves one person open underneath and that was the problem," freshman forward Debbie Flandermeyer said. "It [the defense] does take away the outside shot but it gives up that inside position. We could've boxed out the rim better."

Maine Co-Captain Rachel Bouchard, a 6-ft., 1-in. center-forward, was an unstoppable threat on the boards, ending the game with eight offensive rebounds and 17 points.

"Bouchard is very, very good, "Delaney Smith said. "We can't match her one-on-one."

Black Bears, 59-55 at Briggs Cage Maine  31-28--59 HARVARD  24-31--55

Maine (59): Tracey Frenette, 5-0--10; Rachel Bouchard 6-5--17; Carrie Goodhue 3-3--10; Cathey Iaconeta 4-0--10; Julie Bradstreet 2-0--4; Heather Briggs 0-0--0; Jessica Carpenter 2-0--4; Elizabeth Sullivan 1-0--2.

Totals: 23-63 8-13 59

HARVARD (55): Jen Mazanec 2-0--4; Sandy Springer 3-0--6; Jody Fink 3-4--10; Maura Healey 2-2--8; Beth Wambach 3-1--10; Dina Hadrick 1-0--2; Erin Maher 2-0--4; Betsy Odita 0-1--1; Debbie Flandermeyer 0-5-5.

Totals: 17-46 13-18 55

Three-pointers: Maine (Iaconeta 2, Goodhue); Harvard (Wambach 3, Healey 2). Rebounds: Maine 34 (Bouchard 11); Harvard 34 (Fink 11). Assists: Maine 12 (Frenette, Bradstreet 3); Harvard 10 (Wambach 4). Steals: Maine 10 (laconeta 4); Harvard 9 (Wambach 3). Blocked Shots: Maine 2 (Bouchard, Frenette); Harvard 1 (Odita). Total fouls: Maine 17, Harvard 16. Fouled out: Springer. Turnovers: Maine 18, Harvard 23.