Harvard Vs. UPenn Final Score: Zach Rosen Leads Quakers In Comeback 55-54 Win

All season long Harvard (24-4, 10-2 Ivy League) has been labeled as the best team and team to beat in the Ivy League but winning has never come easy for the Crimson in their history. Harvard's championship banner has a small list of accolades: NCAA Tournament Appearances in 1946, NIT Appearances 2011. Adding that second NCAA Tournament Appearance was the goal all season long for the team after last season's loss in the Ivy League Playoff game to Princeton but the road became a little bit tougher Saturday night.

Pennsylvania (17-11, 9-2 Ivy League) senior guard Zach Rosen led a furious nine-point comeback in the final 8:10, as the Quakers outscored Harvard 15-5 over the final minutes to keep their own NCAA Tournament hopes alive. Rosen finished with a game-high 20 points, including the team's final nine points in the team's rally.

"It's a devestating loss, it's a disappointing loss....but hopefully we can build off this going forward," Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker said.

Junior forward Kyle Casey led the Crimson with 12 points and six rebounds on Senior Day but also turned the ball over five times, including a charge call with 3.5 seconds to play. Freshmen guard Wesley Saunders added 10 points off the bench, while senior forward Keith Wright added nine points and five rebounds.

Rosen was the lone Quaker to finish with double figures as the senior hit 4-of-8 shots in the second half, after connecting on just 2-of-6 shots in the first half. Rob Belacore added five points and four assists for the Quakers who ended Harvard's 28-game home winning streak at the Lavietes Pavilion.

Harvard led by two possessions or more for almost the entire second half but never could put the Quakers away. After Pennsylvania cut a 35-24 Harvard lead to one point (37-36), the Crimson seemed to be cruising when they built the lead back to 49-40 with 8:10 to play. That's when Rosen struck.

Over the final 8:10, Rosen outscored the Crimson 11-5 and answered every Crimson basket with one of his own. Rosen knocked down two free throws with just under six minutes left to cut the deficit to seven and two layups from Henry Brooks brought the game within five for the Quakers.

With Pennsylvania trailing 51-46 with 4:47 to play, Rosen completely took over. The Colonia, New Jersey native hit a fadeaway three to cut the deficit to two and then another fadeaway jumper to cut the deficit to one after a Casey free throw. In the final two minutes, Rosen hit another jumper, and then took a strong drive to the basket forcing Casey to foul him with 23 seconds to play. Rosen calmly sank both free throws to give the Quakers their first lead in over 28 minutes.

Harvard had two final chances, but freshmen Corbin Miller's 3-pointer was off the mark and Casey was called for a charge on a strong baseline move with 3.5 seconds to go. Two deep passes down the length of the court later and Pennsylvania found their dreams of playing in a neutral site Ivy League Playoff Game a very real reality.

Harvard has two regular season games remaining, as they'll travel to Columbia Friday and Cornell on Saturday. With wins in both games, Harvard can do no worse than sharing the Ivy League Title for the second season in a row.

Harvard Vs. UPenn Halftime Update: Late Flourish Gives Crimson 30-24 Halftime Lead

In the most important game of the Ivy League season, it took 17 minutes for either team to really gain an edge in a back-and-forth, first half. With some of the stars of both teams noticeably struggling, it was sophomore guard Laurent Rivard and freshmen guard Wesley Saunders who gave the Crimson the edge.

Harvard takes a 30-24 lead into the break over Pennsylvania on Senior Night between the top two teams in the Ivy League standings. Rivard leads all players with eight points and Saunders added six of the Crimson's 10 points off the bench in the first half.

The Crimson were able to take the six-point lead despite having to sit leading scorers and starting forwards Keith Wright and Kyle Casey for eight minutes each in the first half. Wright, one of the team's three seniors, was subbed out quickly twice in the first half and looked off his game and Casey picked up two fouls.

Pennsylvania was led by by senior guard Zach Rosen and sophomore guard Miles Cartwright who both finished with six points. Rosen knocked down just 2-of-6 shots for the Quakers but did add two of the team's seven rebounds.

Harvard shot 58.8 (10-of-17) percent from the field and hit 8-of-10 free throws, while the Quakers knocked down 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) of their shots and 85.7 percent (6-of-7) free throws.

The Crimson held a 30-22 lead late with under five second to play in the half, before Cartwright took the ball the length of the floor and hit a layup just before the buzzer sounded.

Harvard Vs. Penn: Watch Game Live Online For Free On ESPN3

Coming off a thrilling win over Princeton on Friday night, the Harvard Crimson look to keep rolling when they battle the Pennsylvania Quakers at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday night at Lavietes Pavilion in Boston, MA. The game can be seen live online (and viewed for free) on ESPN3.com. To view, click on the following link starting at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

WATCH LIVE ONLINE: Harvard Vs. Pennsylvania - ESPN3

The Crimson are heading down the stretch in yet another successful season under head coach Tommy Amaker. Harvard has spent time in the Top 25 polls this year and boasts a very impressive 24-3 record, placing them first in the Ivy League. Penn, meanwhile, is also having a solid year and is second in the Ivy League with a 16-11 record.

For more Harvard Crimson coverage, check out our team page.

Harvard Vs. Penn: Crimson Battle Second Place Quakers In Ivy League Shootout

In their quest for the Ivy League title, the Harvard Crimson (24-3, 10-1 IVY) look to take out the second place Penn Quakers (16-11, 8-2 IVY) for a second time this season at 7:00 p.m. ET. at Lavieties Pavilion in Boston, MA. (TV/Radio: ESPN3/WHRB)