PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Harvard jumped out to a big lead and never looked back as it defeated Brown on the road, 65-50, Friday night at Pizzitola Sports Center. The Crimson improved to 11-7 overall and 3-3 in the Ivy League, while the Bears dropped to 10-13 (2-6 Ivy).
The night could not have started better for Harvard, save for the opening basket by Brown. Excluding that, the Crimson scored 19 unanswered points to take a commanding 19-2 lead. The visitors held the Bears without a point until two free throws with 4:53 left, a span of 14 minutes, 44 seconds. Despite the two from the charity stripe, the Harvard defense stayed locked in and did not allow a hoop until there was 2:08 remaining in the half. The Crimson eventually went into the mid-game break ahead, 29-8. The eight points were Harvard's fewest allowed this season.
Harvard took Brown's best shot on multiple occasions in the second half, but did not budge. The Bears went on runs of 10-3 and 7-2 twice, and despite the furious rally attempts, the Crimson enjoyed double-digit leads each time. Harvard delivered the final blow thanks to a late 6-0 run that included a
Luka Sakota drive-by layup and a pair of
Kale Catchings dunks, pushing the Crimson a 61-43 lead and ultimately the 15-point win.
Harvard Highlights
- Luka Sakota reached double figures in scoring for the 11th time this season, finishing with a game-high 18 points. The junior also tied his career high with four treys.
- Mason Forbes posted double digits in scoring for the first time this season and for the third time of his career. The senior, who started his second consecutive game, scored a season-high 11 points and grabbed a season-best four rebounds.
- Noah Kirkwood inched closer to the 1,000-point mark for his career. After scoring 11 points, he now sits at 977. The senior, along with Sakota, had a team-high four assists.
- Kale Catchings registered 14 points and seven rebounds, falling one stat short of tying his season high in both categories.
Game Notes
- Harvard stopped a four-game losing streak to Brown, netting its first series victory since 2018-19.
- The Crimson beat Brown in Providence for the first time since Jan. 27, 2018.
- Harvard improved to 105-76 all-time vs. the Bears and is 20-4 vs. Brown in the last 24 meetings.
- The Crimson prevented its first three-game losing streak since 2017-18.
- Harvard is 17-4 in the last 21 games following a loss.
- The Crimson allowed its first field goal with 19:37 on the clock and did not give up another until there was 2:08 remaining in the half, a span of 17 minutes, 29 seconds.
- During Harvard's 19-0 run, the Crimson held Brown to 0-for-18 shooting and forced eight turnovers. The Bears were 3-for-25 from the floor and 0-for-10 from three in the first 20 minutes.
What's Next?
Harvard will face Yale in New Haven, Connecticut on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. ET with the contest set to air live on ESPN+.
