Tigers’ sophomore Ian Hummer had particular success on the offensive glass, pulling down four of his eight rebounds on the offensive end.

Perhaps the biggest rebound of the afternoon came late in the second half with the score tied at 51.

With 4:45 to play, Mavraides attempted a deep jumper. While his shot was off its mark, Hummer was there to pull down the board. Harvard sophomore Kyle Casey fouled Hummer going for the rebound, picking up his fourth personal foul, forcing him to the bench for the next two minutes. The foul also sent Hummer to the line, where the forward sank two attempts to put the Tigers ahead, 53-51.

BUBBLING

While the Crimson missed its opportunity to secure an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament, some Harvard fans are still clinging to a glimmer of hope that the Crimson will sneak its way into the field with an at-large bid.

Harvard will learn whether it receives an invitation to the Big Dance this afternoon when the field of 68 teams is announced on CBS at 6 p.m.

If the Crimson were to receive an at-large bid, it would mark the first time the Ivy League received two invitations.

But in all likelihood, the Harvard will have to settle for a bid to the National Invitational Tournament, a 32-team tournament that kicks off this Tuesday.

While the Crimson is not guaranteed a spot in the NIT field by virtue of its share of the Ivy League championship, Harvard is likely to receive an invitation given its 23 overall victories which include wins over NCAA-tournament hopefuls Boston College and Colorado.

“Like Coach said, we still have more left of this season,” McNally said.

The NIT field will be announced at 9 p.m. on ESPNU.

—Staff writer Martin Kessler can be reached at martin.kessler@college.harvard.edu.