Harvard challenged Dartmouth the entire game. In the preseason, most observers dismissed the Crimson. Last night wasn't supposed to mean anything.

Last night's game and the season were both decided in the closing moments, and, for the Crimson, they were a testament of character.

"I am very proud of what they did [yesterday]," Delaney Smith said. "Sports are all about the highs and the lows, and it's how you handle the lows."

Co-Captains Sarah Duncan's 16 points and Beth Chandler's 15 rebounds led Harvard. For Duncan, Chandler and guard Hanya Bluestone, it was the last game of their Crimson careers.

"All three of them were outstanding athletes in the program," Delaney Smith said. "They were so important to everybody, from the coaching staff right down to each player."

Sophmore Nicole Hager paced Dartmouth with 18 points, and Jennifer Lowry tipped in 14 points.

And the Big Green captured the last night's game to add to the title it already had.

THE NOTEBOOK: Since the Ivy League began to sanction women's basketball competition in 1975, Dartmouth has captured eight Ivy titles...Harvard has won two...Princeton is second behind the Big Green with five...The Crimson is expected to return 10 letterwinners next season.