Harvard Cagers Stun Bruins in IAB Upset, 78-63

The Tom Sanders magic formula--defense plus discipline equals victory--is starting to pay off for Harvard basketball. Last night in the IAB the Crimson five followed that formula and upset Brown by 15 points, 78-63.

The game was expected to be close, but Sanders's squad broke it wide open in early play. Brown's junior-dominated team lost to Boston College by two points, and Harvard dropped a 68-65 thriller to B.C. Friday night, so the squads were considered evenly matched. In addition, the Bruins finished third in the Ivy League last year and most of the players instrumental in Brown's success returned this season.

Only 900 fans braved the sleet, slush, and cold to see Sanders' first home win, but those that did were treated to sound fundamental basketball.

Jumped Out to Lead

Harvard jumped out to a lead behind Ken Wolfe and Tony Jenkins and led by 16 at the end of the first half. A full-court Brown 1-2-2 zone press whittled the lead down to 71-61 with less than one minute left in the game. But then the Crimson scored seven points and Brown came up with only two free throws.

Sanders has preached defense this fall. His players apply tremendous defensive pressure, Brown shot a miserable 38 per cent from the floor last night and the Crimson accomplished that feat without fouling, only drawing the whistle 11 times as opposed to the Bruins' 22 fouls.

Four out of the five Crimson starters hit for double figures in Harvard's second Ivy League win. Lou Silver was leading scorer with 21 points and 14 rebounds; Tony Jenkins followed with 20 points. Ken Wolfe added 18 and Arnie Needleman contributed 12 points.

The win raised Harvard's season record to 2-4 while Brown's record dropped to 2-3. Harvard is now undefeated in the Ivy League after two games.

"It's a good feeling to win," Sanders said in the lockerroom after the game. He added that it "tastes a little sweeter" coming at home.

Wolfe was especially impressive in the first half, shooting four for six from the field and converting all six of his free throws for 14 points. Wolfe drove the middle several times to pick up fouls on the Brown big men, and in the second half he helped in breaking a Brown press.

Tony Jenkins was more relaxed last night, rebounding and shooting with authority. In the first half, he and Lou Silver dominated the backboards as Harvard out-rebounded Brown 25-16.

Silver did it all: He was top scorer and rebounder coming into the game for Harvard and he scored his 21 points on excellent 7 for 13 shooting from the floor and seven for eight from the foul line. Silver scored 11 points in the second half, most of them short, soft jumpshots.