Moundou-Missi notched his second double-double of the season (Pete Emerson).

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Harvard men's basketball team closed out 2014 in emphatic fashion Tuesday night, defeating Grand Canyon, 72-59, in front of the largest crowd in GCU Arena history.

Siyani Chambers scored 16 points and dished out four assists to lead the charge while Steve Moundou-Missi turned in his second double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 boards. Wesley Saunders added 15 points, six rebounds and six assists, with Corbin Miller contributing 12 points.

With the win, Harvard improved to 8-3 overall and secured the program's seventh straight winning record in non-conference play. Since 2008-09, the Crimson has gone 75-32 away from the Ivy League.

The Crimson shot 52.1 percent (25-48) on the night, including a 6-of-12 clip from long-range, and owned a 38-24 advantage on the glass. Daniel Alexander and DeWayne Russell paced Grand Canyon (8-8) with 15 points apiece, and De'Andre Davis chipped in 13.

The tempo was set early as both teams pushed the ball up the court. Harvard was able to dig in defensively despite the up-tempo pace, holding Grand Canyon to 4-of-15 shooting to begin the game as it built a 24-11 lead. The Crimson's early successes at the offensive end came from behind the arc, where Agunwa Okolie, Chambers, Saunders and Miller combined to connect on each of the team's first five attempts.

The Lopes used a 10-4 stretch to pull within 28-21 on a Alexander 3-pointer, and the margin remained at eight with the half coming to a close. Saunders was able to split the defense just before time expired, however, giving Harvard a 34-24 edge at the intermission.

Saunders led all scorers with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists through the first 20 minutes with Chambers adding eight points and three assists.

Baskets by Saunders, Moundou-Missi and Chambers extended Harvard's advantage to 40-24 out of the break, forcing a Grand Canyon timeout. Moundou-Missi's and-one moved the score to 47-29, and on the following possession Miller made it a 20-point game, 49-29.

The Lopes brought the score back to within 55-43 with 7:09 to play before Miller answered with his second 3-pointer to end the 8-0 run. Moundou-Missi followed a Chambers jumper with 1-of-2 at the line to regain a 61-45 margin, and after a pair of Chambers freebies the score stood at 63-47 with 2:53 remaining.

Grand Canyon continued to push the issue, but Harvard sank 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to secure the 72-59 victory.

Game Notes: Steve Moundou-Missi recorded his second double-double of the year, fifth of his career, with 12 points and 10 rebounds … Wesley Saunders scored at least 15 points for the ninth time in 11 games … Wesley Saunders has registered three games with at least 15 points, six rebounds and six assists … At 8-3, Harvard has secured its seventh straight winning record in non-conference play (75-32 since 2008-09) … Harvard has held nine of its 11 opponents to fewer than 60 points.