CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Returning home to Lavietes Pavilion for the final time in 2018, Harvard men's basketball controlled the play against George Washington, winning 75-61 on Saturday afternoon. Harvard improves to 5-5 with the result, while the Colonials fall to 3-9.

First-year Noah Kirkwood matched a career-high with 20 points, while also securing four rebounds and dishing a career-high six assists. Junior Justin Bassey and sophomore Danilo Djuricic were in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while both grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.

The Crimson and Colonials traded baskets over the first 13 minutes of the first half, with the score tied with 6:25 left in the period. Harvard closed the stanza with a 19-8 run, including a buzzer-beating triple from junior Chistian Juzang as time expired to take a 39-28 lead into the intermission.

The Crimson continued its dominant play to start the second half, with Harvard extending its run to 29-9 on a Djuricic dunk, which gave the home team a 49-29 advantage. Bassey scored 12 second half points to lead the squad, which closed out its third home victory of the season.

Harvard Highlights

• Noah Kirkwood led the way with career highs of 20 points and six assists.
• Justin Bassey and Danilo Djuricic were in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
• Harvard tallied 19 offensive rebounds, including a game-high four from first-year Mason Forbes.

Game Notes

• Harvard takes the lead in the all-time series, 4-3.
• Active on the boards, Harvard outrebounded GW 47-29. The margin marked the third time in four games Harvard outrebounded its opponent by 10 or more.
• 17 Harvard players saw action, which is a season-high.

What's Next?
The Crimson travels to Atlanta to face Mercer at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 at State Farm Arena, and will then head to Chapel Hill to take on No. 9/10 North Carolina Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. The contest with the Tar Heels will be broadcast on ESPN2 or ESPNU.