NCAAB · Final

Harvard Defeats Columbia 81-71 in NCAAB Showdown

Friday, March 6, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Lavietes Pavilion

Harvard Crimson 81, Columbia Lions 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Columbia Lions vs Harvard Crimson?

Harvard Crimson beat Columbia Lions 81-71 at Lavietes Pavilion on March 6, 2026.

Who was favored in Columbia Lions vs Harvard Crimson?

Harvard Crimson were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -205 (about 67% implied). The favorite won.

In a compelling matchup at Lavietes Pavilion, the Harvard Crimson secured an 81-71 victory over the Columbia Lions. This win marked Harvard's fourth consecutive victory over Columbia in their recent head-to-head meetings, extending their dominance in this rivalry. The Crimson now hold a 3-0 record against the Lions this season, having previously defeated them 79-54 on January 10, 2026, 87-75 at home on February 15, 2025, and 90-82 away on February 1, 2025.

Harvard entered this game with a solid home record of 17-11 and a recent performance of 7-3 over their last ten games, although they were coming off a loss in their previous outing against the Pennsylvania Quakers, where they fell 61-64. Despite this setback, the Crimson had averaged 67.3 points scored and allowed 63.4 points during this stretch. Their home record stood at 2-2 in the last ten games, while they had been more successful on the road, boasting a 5-1 record.

On the other side, the Columbia Lions, with a record of 16-12, had struggled recently, holding a 4-6 record in their last ten games and entering the contest on a one-game losing streak after losing to the Yale Bulldogs 54-60. Columbia's scoring average during this recent stretch was 69.9 points, but they had allowed an average of 72.2 points, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Their away record was 2-2 in the last ten games, which contrasted with their home performance of 2-4.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Harvard favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 136.5. The moneyline reflected Harvard at -205 and Columbia at +170, indicating a strong belief in a Harvard victory.

In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any particular players missing from either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters for this crucial matchup.

The game itself was characterized by a series of scoring plays that kept the excitement high. Harvard maintained control for much of the contest, with key contributions from players like Tey Barbour and Robert Hinton. The second half saw a flurry of scoring, including driving layups and free throws that solidified Harvard's lead. Notably, Hinton's free throws late in the game helped push the score to 79-71 before Barbour capped off the scoring with another layup, bringing the final score to 81-71.

Conditions in Lavietes Pavilion were conducive for a competitive game, with a lively atmosphere as fans supported their teams. The matchup showcased the tactical prowess of both coaches, with Harvard's ability to execute down the stretch proving decisive.

As the game concluded, viewers were treated to a display of resilience from Harvard, who demonstrated their capability to bounce back after a loss and continue their strong performance at home. Columbia, while showing flashes of potential, will need to address their defensive issues moving forward to improve their chances in future contests.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	HARV -4.5	136.5 o -110 / u -110	Columbia Lions +170 · Harvard Crimson -205

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsChandler Pigge26Harvard Crimson
AssistsBen Eisendrath6Harvard Crimson
ReboundsTey Barbour10Harvard Crimson
PointsBlair Thompson18Columbia Lions
AssistsKenny Noland7Columbia Lions
ReboundsConnor Igoe10Columbia Lions

Recent form

Harvard Crimson

Last 10: 7-3Streak L167.3 scored · 63.4 allowed per game2-2 at home

L61-64at Pennsylvania QuakersFeb 28
W58-56at Princeton TigersFeb 28
W73-54at Cornell Big RedFeb 21
L75-76vs Yale BulldogsFeb 14
W56-53vs Brown BearsFeb 14
W71-58at Dartmouth Big GreenFeb 7
W67-65at Yale BulldogsFeb 1
W69-59at Brown BearsJan 31
L79-86vs Cornell Big RedJan 24
W64-63vs Pennsylvania QuakersJan 19

Columbia Lions

Last 10: 4-6Streak L169.9 scored · 72.2 allowed per game2-2 away

L54-60vs Yale BulldogsFeb 28
W80-62vs Brown BearsFeb 28
L63-64vs Dartmouth Big GreenFeb 21
W75-65at Princeton TigersFeb 14
L67-76at Pennsylvania QuakersFeb 14
L67-88vs Cornell Big RedFeb 7
L68-80vs Princeton TigersJan 31
W72-67vs Pennsylvania QuakersJan 31
W79-69at Dartmouth Big GreenJan 24
L74-91at Yale BulldogsJan 19

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Yale	24-7	-	11-3
Harvard	17-12	1	10-4
Pennsylvania	18-12	2	9-5
Cornell	15-13	3	8-6
Columbia	16-12	6	5-9
Dartmouth	11-16	6	5-9
Princeton	9-20	6	5-9
Brown	9-18	8	3-11

Box score

Stat	Columbia Lions	Harvard Crimson
Field goals	30-69	28-52
Field goal %	43	54
Three-pointers	5-20	10-23
Three-point %	25	43
Free throws	6-11	15-18
Free throw %	55	83
Rebounds	35	35
Offensive rebounds	14	5
Defensive rebounds	21	30
Assists	12	18
Steals	8	6
Blocks	1	6
Turnovers	8	11
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	11
Fast-break points	10	15
Points in the paint	44	32
Fouls	16	9
Largest lead	3	10
Lead changes	7	7
Time in front	11	73

How the scoring went

2nd Half38-38Blair Thompson makes driving layup
2nd Half38-40Robert Hinton makes 13-foot pullup jump shot
2nd Half40-40Blair Thompson makes layup (Kenny Noland assists)
2nd Half40-43Chandler Pigge makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ben Eisendrath assists)
2nd Half42-43Connor Igoe makes layup (Miles Franklin assists)
2nd Half42-45Robert Hinton makes 9-foot jumper (Chandler Pigge assists)
2nd Half45-45Connor Igoe makes 26-foot three point jumper
2nd Half45-46Chandler Pigge makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half45-47Chandler Pigge makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-47Gerard O'Keefe makes 27-foot three point jumper (Kenny Noland assists)
2nd Half48-49Chandler Pigge makes layup (Ben Eisendrath assists)
2nd Half50-49Blair Thompson makes layup (Kenny Noland assists)
2nd Half50-52Thomas Batties III makes 27-foot three pointer
2nd Half52-52Blair Thompson makes layup (Connor Igoe assists)
2nd Half54-52Miles Franklin makes 18-foot jumper
2nd Half54-54Thomas Batties III makes 7-foot turnaround jump shot
2nd Half54-57Tey Barbour makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ben Eisendrath assists)
2nd Half54-59Robert Hinton makes layup (Chandler Pigge assists)
2nd Half56-59Kenny Noland makes 7-foot jumper (Connor Igoe assists)
2nd Half58-59Miles Franklin makes layup (Kenny Noland assists)
2nd Half58-61Chandler Pigge makes layup (Robert Hinton assists)
2nd Half61-61Connor Igoe makes 28-foot three point jumper (Kenny Noland assists)
2nd Half61-64Tey Barbour makes 27-foot three point jumper (Robert Hinton assists)
2nd Half63-64Kenny Noland makes driving layup
2nd Half63-66Thomas Batties III makes driving layup
2nd Half65-66Blair Thompson makes driving layup
2nd Half65-69Tey Barbour makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ben Eisendrath assists)
2nd Half65-71Ben Eisendrath makes driving layup
2nd Half65-72Ben Eisendrath makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half65-73Tey Barbour makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-74Tey Barbour makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-75Tey Barbour makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-75Kenny Noland makes driving layup
2nd Half69-75Blair Thompson makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half69-77Thomas Batties III makes layup (Tey Barbour assists)
2nd Half70-77Connor Igoe makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half71-77Connor Igoe makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half71-78Robert Hinton makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-79Robert Hinton makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-81Tey Barbour makes driving layup (Robert Hinton assists)