NCAA

NCAA: Harvard Shocks New Mexico 68-62

by
Wesley Saunders could not be contained on Thursday night as the Ivy Champs knocked out New Mexico in the tournament
Wesley Saunders could not be contained on Thursday night as the Ivy Champs knocked out New Mexico in the tournament”s biggest upset of the opening day. (Photo credit: AP/Rick Bowmer)

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.

Read more

Comeback Falls Short as Harvard Bows Out to Vanderbilt

by

Laurent Rivard led

a late charge, but Harvard was unable to

climb all the way back from an 18-point deficit, falling to a dangerous Vanderbilt team 79-70 in Albuquerque. Rivard led the Crimson with 20 points on 6-7 shooting. Harvard”s usual advantage down low was negated due to big Festus Ezeli, who finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. The Commodores were led by the sharpshooting John Jenkins and his 27 points on 7-12 shooting. A 14-3 run that began with 4:30 to play brought Harvard within five, but the Crimson would get no closer. The loss ends an historic season for the Ivy champions with a final record of 26-5.