Cagers Win 2 Games On Holiday Road Trip

After losing its first four holiday games, the Harvard basketball team finished its road trip by winning two of its last three contests to pick up momentum for its upcoming Ivy League games.

The trip, which left the Crimson with a 5-7 record, resulted in one major change in the starting lineup. Senior forward Hal Calbom injured his ankle in the first game against Michigan, and sophomore. James Brown moved to forward with junior Matt Bozek stepping into the vacated guard position.

Harvard opened its road trip against Michigan in Ann Arbor, and stayed within a few points of the Wolverines during the first half. But Michigan ran away with the game in the second half, and topped the Crimson, 100-73.

Sophomore forward Floyd Lewis, who established himself as the Crimson's top scorer and top rebounder during the holiday schedule, tallied 20 points and grabbed 18 rebounds against the Wolverines.

In the consolation round of the Michigan Invitational, Harvard lost to California, 77-74, the first of two narrow losses that the Crimson should have won.

Against California, James Brown poured in 26 points playing forward for the first time this season. Lewis added 15 tallies and snatched 15 rebounds to earn first team honors on the All-Invitational squad. Brown and captain Dale Dover were selected to the second team.

Ducks Pull Away

In the opening round of the Far West Classic Harvard trailed Oregon by one point at half-time, but the Ducks pulled away in the second half to top Harvard, 91-76. Oregon eventually won the tournament.

Brown again paced the Crimson with 19 points, while Matt Bozek added 16. Lewis, who is averaging 14.7 rebounds a game, grabbed 12 against Oregon.

In the second round, Harvard faced Ohio State, which had been upset by Stanford the night before, and played steady basketball for one half, trailing 50-47 at half-time. But Ohio State ran to a 103-87 triumph in the second half.

The Crimson was plagued by turnovers against the Ohio State zone, and couldn't stop 7-0 sophomore Luke Witte, who tallied 26 points. Lewis paced Harvard with 20 points, and Hal Calbom added 18.

Road Trip

The Crimson won its first game of the road trip in the final round of the Classic, topping San Jose State, 89-75. Brown scored 25 points, but Dale Dover took top honors with 30 tallies to become the fifth Harvard player to score 1000 points.

On New Year's nigh. Harvard trounced Washington University in St. Louis 121-65, to set Harvard records for the most points scored in a game and for the most field goals scored in one game. Harvard substitutes Marshall Sanders and Jean Wilkenson paced the Crimson with 17 and 16 points apiece.

Harvard finished the road trip on a sour note, however, when it fell, 82-79, to Valpairaso the next night. The Crusaders, who had lost to a weak Springfield team earlier, took advantage of the Crimson's poor shooting and lackluster play. Lewis kept Harvard in the game with 26 points and 18 rebounds.