The Crimson rolled right past the Lobos on Thursday night, clogging the paint and contesting every shot, en route to holding New Mexico to just 37.5% shooting. Coach Tommy Amaker”s game plan was executed to perfection, as Siyani Chambers” quickness inside forced New Mexico to collapse, opening up space for Laurent Rivard (5-9) and
Christian Webster (3-5 from 3PT) to blast off from deep.
Rivard hit a 3 with 6:21 to play to put Harvard ahead and the Crimson never relinquished the lead. Saunders followed with a jumper from above the elbow, and Kenyatta Smith made a great move on the block to push the lead to 59-53 with 4:42 left. From there, the Crimson went
7-10 from the free throw line to seal the deal.
Kenyatta Smith did a great job handling the Lobos” big man, Alex Kirk, though foul trouble forced Smith to the bench for an extended period in the second half. Steve Moundou-Missi and Jonah Travis did an honorable job on the boards and in the paint in his absence.
The win is Harvard”s first ever postseason victory and the program”s first victory over a team ranked in the AP Top 10. Harvard advances to the Round of 32 where the Crimson will take on Arizona at 6:10PM on Saturday on TNT.