NEW YORK, N.Y. - In a game with six ties and 10 lead changes, Harvard hustled an 18-9 run to close out the game and defeat Columbia, 69-59.

Columbia is now 8-10, 1-4 Ivy League, while Harvard is 12-6, 4-1 Ivy.

Statistically, the game was closer than the score indicated, with both teams hitting 21 field goals, both teams grabbing 38 rebounds and both teams shooting within two percentage points of each other.

The Lions opened the game on a 14-6 run, until Drew Housman and Matt Stehle hit consecutive three-point plays, Housman's with a three-pointer and Stehle with an old-fashioned and-one to cut the lead to two.

Harvard took the lead with 1:59 to play in the period on a three by Jim Goffredo. They led by three until Ben Nwachukwu hit two free throws and John Baumann got a block, a steal and a layup and the foul for the three-point-play. The Lions led 34-31 at the break.

The teams battled and exchanged baskets for the first eight minutes of the second half. Brian Cusworth hit a layup to break the sixth tie of the game and initiate the final run that put the game away for the Crimson.

Nwachukwu and Baumann finished with 16 and 15 respectively, while Nwachukwu added 10 rebounds and Baumann finished with nine. Armstrong had 13 points and six rebounds in the loss.

Housman led all scorers with 20 points, while Stehle added 18 and Goffredo finished with 12.

The Lions return to action tomorrow when they host Dartmouth for a 7 p.m. game.