Penn beats Dartmouth, 57-54; sets up showdown at Harvard

HANOVER, N.H. - On to Harvard.

Though Penn struggled offensively for much of the game, the Quakers took care of business on Friday night as they squeaked by Dartmouth, 57-54 win.

The victory sets up a vital game in Boston on Saturday where Penn (16-11, 8-2 Ivy League) and Harvard (24-3, 10-1) will play for first place in the Ivy League.

The Crimson, who have been nationally ranked at times this year and remain the favorite to win the league and earn the automatic NCAA tournament bid, held off visiting Princeton on Friday, 67-64. Princeton had given Harvard its only league loss.

Harvard beat Penn, 56-50, on Feb. 10 at the Palestra in the team's first meeting.

The Crimson can clinch at least a tie for the Ivy title with a win on Saturday against the Quakers. Harvard tied Princeton last year, then lost in a league playoff.

The Quakers were unable to hit a field goal for the first nine minutes of the second half as Dartmouth (5-22, 1-10), led by freshman guard John Golden, climbed back into the game. However, seniors Zack Rosen and Rob Belcore helped turn back the Big Green.

Belcore had one of his most complete games of the season with 14 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Rosen added another vintage performance with 27 points on 10-for-20 shooting.