Crimson Cagers Nip Dartmouth, 64-62; Needleman Sparks 2nd-Half Comeback

There was another barn-burner on the IAB hardcourt last night. It took a furious last-minute rally, but Harvard's varsity basketball squad pulled out a dramatic 64-62 victory over a winless Dartmouth quintet which was missing its best player, forward Adam Sutton.

Harvard was rescued from veritable humiliation by the hot shooting of senior forward Arnie Needleman, who pumped in three clutch baskets down the stretch to rally the listless Crimson hoopers from a 9-point deficit.

Needleman finished with game scoring honors, collecting 20 points and adding seven rebounds. Sophomore Jonas Honick led the supporting cast with 12 points, while substitute forward Walter "Doc" Hines chipped in with 10.

Better Late Than...

Trailing the Big Green cagers (now 0-5) 56-47 with little more than eight minutes remaining in the game, the Crimson finally got its offense untracked, reeling off eight straight points in a crucial two-minute span.

Needleman sparked the rally with a long jumper from the corner, followed by two pressure baskets by junior guard Kevin McLaughlin and a steal-basket series by sophomore Dave Rogers.

The Green answered with a Larry Cubas basket and two foul shots by forward Bill Healey, sandwiched around a lay-up by Doc Hines, leaving Dartmouth with a 60-57 lead and three minutes to kill.

The Crimson forces, directed by floor-general Needleman, remained calm under the final minute pressure, and two deadly outside shots by the senior pulled Harvard into its first lead of the night, 61-60, with 90 seconds remaining. Two free throws by Lou Silver and one by Rogers sewed up Harvard's victory, evening the squad's record at 3-3 (1-0 in the Ivy League).

Harvard D. Gives Way

"We were just loping along, expecting to win easily," Rogers said after the game. "With five minutes left, we realized it was about time to get going, but it was almost too late. We were much too over-confident."