Harvard defeats Holy Cross 81-53
Harvard Dominates Holy Cross in Statement Win
In a decisive 81-53 victory, Harvard (HOME) proved its mettle against visiting Holy Cross, showcasing the Crimson's superiority in a non-conference matchup at Lavietes Pavilion.
The home team took control from the outset, leading 41-24 at halftime. The margin widened to as much as 28 points in the second half, highlighting Harvard's dominance throughout the game. Despite struggling with field goal percentage, Holy Cross managed to stay within striking distance, but ultimately fell short.
Austin Hunt led the charge for Harvard, pouring in 19 points on 3-4 three-pointers and an impressive 88.9% shooting from the field. Tey Barbour contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Ben Eisendrath chipped in with 6 points and 4 assists.
For Holy Cross, Gabe Warren led the way with 16 points on 45.5% shooting. Joe Nugent added 9 points and 5 rebounds, but the Crusaders struggled to find consistency on offense.
Harvard's balanced attack and strong defensive effort helped to neutralize Holy Cross's scoring threats. The Crimson limited the visiting team to just 33.0% field goal percentage and 20.0% three-point shooting, forcing them into tough shots and capitalizing on turnovers.
The numbers told the story: Harvard outrebounded Holy Cross 38-25, grabbed more assists (15 vs. 9), and committed fewer turnovers (11 vs. 7). The Crimson also held a significant edge in points in the paint (46-28) and fast break points (13-2).
As the final buzzer sounded, Harvard celebrated a statement win that showcased its capabilities against a quality opponent. With the score, the Crimson demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure and maintain focus throughout the contest.
The win marked another significant victory for Harvard in its non-conference schedule, underscoring the team's potential as it navigates the challenging college basketball landscape.