Crimson Loses to Williams, 72-70, As Quintet Blows 16-Point Lead

The Varsity basketball team opened its season Saturday night by blowing a 16 point lead and losing to Williams, 72-70, at the I.A.B.

A rather discouraging beginning, one might think. But for the first 30 minutes of a hard-fought game the Crimson displayed some of its steadiest basketball in a long time. Only a great effort in the final minutes by Bob Mahland, Williams' little All-American, saved the Ephmen form a major upset.

The Crimson took an 8-7 lead after four minutes of play. With Denny Lynch hitting jump shots from all angles and Gary Borchard making good on his free throws, the Crimson gradually pulled further ahead. The defense, a switching man to man, effectively stymied the Williams' attack and Harvard led 27-29 at halftime.

Len Strauss entered the game in the second half and his energetic rebounding fired the team even more. Lynch continued to score, and Joe Deering added a few baskets on fast breaks. With the clock showing 13:30 to go, the Crimson was sitting comfortably on the long end of a 56-40 score.

What happened afterwards is too familiar to followers of Harvard basketball to record in detail. The offense tried to slow down the game and work for good shots. Instead it wound up losing the ball. Williams opened up its fast break, and with Mahland in charge, the Crimson lead started to dwindle rapidly.

The Crimson was still leading 68-63 with two minutes left when Mahland hit a jump shot and fed Al Foster for a second basket, cutting the margin to one.

Foster, on another Mahland pass, scored a three point play, but Borchard tied the score with 17 seconds left by then waited for one shot. Mahland took it--a 15 foot jumper from the foul line--and didn't miss.

Lynch, who hit 12 of the 20 shots from the floor, led the scoring with 25 points. Borchard scored 20 while Mahland and Roger Williams had 16 apiece for Williams.