ITHACA, N.Y. (Interstat) — A pivotal Ivy League rematch awaits on Saturday when the Harvard Crimson visit the Cornell Big Red at Newman Arena. Harvard (14-10, 6-3 Ivy) enters looking to avenge a Jan. 24 home loss to Cornell and solidify its conference standing after a heartbreaking 76-75 overtime defeat to Yale last Saturday. The Crimson had won four straight prior to that narrow loss. Cornell (12-11, 5-4 Ivy) aims to complete a regular-season sweep and climb closer in the league race. The Big Red are coming off an 82-76 loss at Penn but had won three of their previous four, including a dominant 89-65 victory at Princeton. The first meeting, an 86-79 Cornell win in Cambridge, figures to loom large. Both key players in that contest are entering in strong form. Harvard’s Thomas Batties, who had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists in the first matchup, is averaging 17.2 points over his last five games. He poured in 23 points in the overtime loss to Yale. For Cornell, guard Cooper Noard scored 19 points in the win at Harvard and is averaging 15.8 points over his last five outings, including a 28-point performance against Penn on Jan. 31. The Crimson have shown resilience on the road this season, with key conference wins at Brown, Yale and Dartmouth. Cornell, however, has been strong at home in Ivy play, boasting decisive wins over Princeton and Brown by an average of 23.5 points. Harvard’s defense, which held Brown to 53 points in a recent win, will be tested by a potent Cornell offense that averages 84.2 points per game at home. The Big Red must contain a balanced Harvard attack that features multiple scoring threats alongside Batties. With both teams jockeying for position ahead of the Ivy League Tournament, Saturday’s contest carries significant weight for postseason seeding. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.