Yale is going to the Big Dance, Harvard probably the NIT, after the Bulldogs defeat the Crimson, 97-85, and win the Ivy League tournament

By Joel Alderman

A second half 28-7 run powered Yale (22-7, 10-4 Ivy) to the championship of the Ivy
League Tournament and a bid to the NCAA March Madness, beating Harvard in the
championship game on Sunday, 97-85.

A few hours later Yale drew LSU as its first round opponent in the NCAA tournament.
The Bulldogs had to overcome a 38 point performance by Harvard’s Bryce Aiken with
balanced scoring. The Crimson (18-11, 10-4 Ivy) led 52-45 before Yale began its
comeback.

Yale did a lot of damage with its star Miye Oni on the bench in foul trouble and 14
minutes to go, and Harvard leading 54-53. But Alex Copeland, the tournament’s MVP,
reserve Azar Swain and Captain Blake Reynolds assumed the scoring burdon.
Copelqnd finished with 25 points (9-of 14 from the floor), Swain 15 off the bench, and
Reynolds 14.

Paying in the comfort zone of its own Payne Whitney Gymnasium, the Bulldogs shot a
remarkable 60+ percent and made 22 of 24 free throws. They even controlled their
turnovers, one of their few problems this year, and finished with just seven.
Noah Kirkwood the Ivy Rookie of the Year, finished with 19 points. But he and Aiken
were the only ones from their team to score in double figures.

Harvard, along with Yale the co-champions of the Ivy League, is expected to receive a
bid to the NIT.

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