Curry, Wright Step Up in Harvard Win

During the 2009-10 Harvard men’s basketball season, only one Crimson player managed to record a double-double. Through just two games this season, two Crimson players have reached the milestone.

After co-captain Keith Wright finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds in Harvard’s season opener, sophomore Brandyn Curry followed suit in last night’s 72-49 win against Holy Cross.

In 36 minutes of play, Curry finished with a career-high 12 assists, 10 points, seven rebounds, and five steals.

“He makes a lot of plays,” co-captain Oliver McNally said. “When things break down, you’re going to need a playmaker, and that’s what Brandyn does really well for us.”

Curry recorded his career-high 10th assist with 12:05 left in the second half, finding Wright at the right elbow for an open jumper that the forward sank.

Curry’s final assist came late in the contest when the point guard came up with a loose ball at the top of the key and zipped a pass to classmate Christian Webster under the basket for the easy layup.

But despite Curry’s impressive offensive numbers, Harvard coach Tommy Amaker was most pleased with his impact on defense.

“It started a lot with Brandyn Curry,” Harvard coach Tommy Amaker said. “I think his pressuring the ball and setting the tone up front for our defense really lifted our ball club.”

Curry wasted no time setting the tone defensively. On the Crusaders’ opening possession, Curry forced a five-second violation on Holy Cross guard R.J. Evans. Five minutes later Curry had already picked up two more steals, forcing another five-second call and picking the pocket of Crusader Dee Goens.

“My main focus tonight was defense from the beginning,” Curry said. “Coach always told me when you focus on defense, offense follows suit.”

HURRICANE HUGO

Harvard freshman Ugo Okam played just nine minutes in last night’s matchup, but the seven-footer made them count. Okam finished a perfect three-of-three from the field for six points, while adding three blocks and two rebounds.

Okam checked into the game with 14:17 left in the first half and immediately made his presence felt. On his first defensive possession, Okam recorded two blocks, deflecting a layup attempt from Goens and then swatting a shot from Andrew Beinart out to the perimeter.

Okam followed up on the offensive end, soaring into the air to catch and flush an alley-oop pass from Curry for his first collegiate basket.

“It’s nice having a seven-footer. You can just throw it up there,” Curry said. “Once I threw it, I knew no one else was getting to it.”

Okam followed with another flush for his second career basket, catching a pass deep in the post, and then finishing with a two-handed slam in traffic.

“I thought he gave us a great lift as soon as he got into the ball game,” Amaker said. “I think he’s going to become the crowd favorite.”

THE WRIGHT STUFF

After an outstanding performance in the Crimson’s opener, Wright turned in another solid effort last night, finishing with a team-high 18 points and six rebounds.

Wright did his most of his scoring around the basket but also displayed his extended range by knocking down a pair of jumpers from the elbow.

It looked like Wright was poised for a letdown performance after recording just two points in the first half. Missing his only shot from the field in the opening frame, Wright picked up two fouls in 33 seconds midway through the period and was relegated to the bench for the remainder of the half.

When Wright returned to the court to start the second half, he quickly turned his performance around.

The 6’8” forward recorded two blocks and notched 10 points by the 10-minute mark. Wright added four points before the final whistle to finish with a total of 18 points.

“I was really pleased with him,” Amaker said. “Sometime when kids miss a lot of minutes because of foul trouble...they kind of want to make up for lost time. I thought he was poised and had composure and showed patience in the post. That told me a lot about his growth and maturity.”

—Staff writer Martin Kessler can be reached at martin.kessler@college.harvard.edu.