M. Hoops Busts Out For First Home Win

Heading into Saturday’s matinee matchup versus Lehigh, the Harvard men’s basketball team was 0-2 at home for the first time in 12 years.

The Crimson seniors, aided by key contributions from up-and-coming underclassmen off the bench, made sure that the third time was a charm, besting the Mountain Hawks 84-72.

“The seniors definitely took it personally that we didn’t win our first two home games,” Harvard coach Frank Sullivan said. “I think that motivated them and made them press hard out there.”

Harvard (3-2) probably pressed too hard to start the game, missing its first 10 field goals. But the Crimson was able to bury Lehigh (4-3) under a barrage of three-pointers during an 18-0 run midway through the second half that effectively put the game away.

Five Crimson players scored in double-digits, paced by a career-high 20 points from senior point guard Elliott Prasse-Freeman.

Lehigh point guard Zlatko Savovic, who finished with a game-high 23 points, led a late rally that pulled the Mountain Hawks within nine, but Harvard weathered several turnovers and converted its free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

“It was a sloppy start and a sloppy finish, but mission accomplished—we won by more than one point,” Sullivan said.

Prasse-Freeman, who also dished out a game-high seven assists, scored 15 of his 20 points after sustaining a bloody nose in the first half and changing into a clean, alternate jersey (No. 31) for the second frame.

“I think I might wear 31 again for my next game,” Prasse-Freeman said, referring to a potential new lucky charm.

Harvard also benefited from career efforts from two sophomore reserves. Forward Graham Beatty contributed 10 points in 11 minutes and shooting guard Kevin Rogus turned heads by draining three three-pointers en route to a 12-point outing.

“It’s definitely a big plus to get contributions off the bench,” Sullivan said. “Every man came into the game and contributed something to the win.”

Captain Brady Merchant (15 points) and senior guard Pat Harvey (13 points) were the other two double-digit scorers for Harvard, which exceeded its previous season-high point total by 15.

Another encouraging sign for the Crimson was the resurgence of its floor defense. Averaging only 5.5 steals a game entering Saturday’s contest, Harvard stole the ball 14 times from Lehigh and forced 19 Mountain Hawk turnovers, both season-highs for the Crimson.

Harvard also performed very well on the glass, collecting a season-high 23 offensive rebounds to go along with 24 defensive boards. The Crimson finished with a 47-38 rebounding edge.

The win over Lehigh was Harvard’s fourth straight in the series. Prasse-Freeman, who was a high school teammate and classmate of Lehigh forward Matt Logie, took added satisfaction from Saturday’s win.

“Before the game, I joked with Matt that I would finish with a career sweep,” said Prasse-Freeman, who won last year’s game at Lehigh with a last-second basket. “But it’s all in good fun.”

The victory also ensured that Harvard would not fall below the .500 mark for the first time in its last 55 games. The Crimson has not been saddled with a losing record since its season-opening loss to Holy Cross two years ago.

Harvard next puts its undefeated road record on the line as it travels to Rider tomorrow night.

—Staff writer Daniel E. Fernandez can be reached at dfernand@fas.harvard.edu