The answer, according to Maher, was not. Harvard kept the game close for the first 15 minutes before Stanford's transition game hit high gear and the Cardinal pulled away.

But Harvard gained an insight into what it's like to play at the top, and, more importantly, a little respect.

"Molly Goodenbauer [the 1992 NCAA tournament MVP] came up to me after the game and said that we had some of the best shooters she had played against," Maher said. "It was disappointing to come away with the loss, knowing that we could play with them."

Harvard faced Utah in the consolation final and succumbed to the Utes' tough pressure defense. The Crimson turned the ball over 24 times in the 11 point loss.

"We weren't in the game mentally, coming down off the big game against Stanford," Maher said.

Senior center Debbie Flandermeyer scored 16 points in the loss to Utah.