CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Playing its first game since Dec. 21, Harvard finished on the short end of an 84-73 score in its Ivy League opener vs. Brown on Friday night at Lavietes Pavilion. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak and dropped the Crimson to 8-5 (0-1 Ivy).
 
The Bears (9-8; 1-1 Ivy) scored the game's first seven points in a matter of 1:57, only to have the Crimson use a combination of offense and defense to get back into the contest. Harvard went on a 15-0 run and allowed just one field goal over the next nine minutes to take a 17-11 lead.
 
The Crimson's early success quickly turned Brown's way as it scored 13 unanswered, propelling the Bears to a 30-25 advantage. Brown's momentum was slowed when Louis Lesmond nailed a three, was fouled and made the ensuing free throw. The four-point play helped the first-year to 13 points in a half that Harvard ultimately trailed at intermission, 36-30.
 
Kale Catchings and Idan Tretout carried the Crimson to open the second half as the duo scored the team's first 12 points (6 apiece), moving Harvard ahead, 42-40. Just over three minutes later, however, Brown made the first of back-to-back-to-back triples to open a 56-48 lead.
 
The Crimson found itself playing catch-up and eventually trailed by 11 points down the stretch. Harvard used a late flurry to cut into its deficit, but the hole proved to be too deep as Brown escaped with the decision. 

Game Notes

• Idan Tretout (14 points) reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time in the last five games (12.6 ppg). He has scored at least 10 points in a game this season five times (8 career).
• Louis Lesmond (13 points) registered his fourth double-figure scoring effort of the season and his first since a 15-point performance vs. Rhode Island on Dec. 1. The first-year also collected a career-high six rebounds.
• Noah Kirkwood has scored in double figures in every game this season (13). The senior finished with a team-high 18 vs. the Bears.
• Chris Ledlum (17 points) posted his 12^th double-digit scoring effort of the season, which is the second most on the team (Kirkwood – 13).
• Kirkwood and Ledlum each had eight rebounds to lead Harvard. It was the 11^th time Ledlum has led the team in boards and the third time for Kirkwood.

What's Next?

Harvard welcomes Yale to Lavietes Pavilion on Sunday for a 2 p.m. ET contest that will air live on ESPNU.