PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Senior guard/forward
Chris Ledlum scored 19 of his game-high 21 points in the second half and overtime, and Harvard University men's basketball overcame an eight-point second-half deficit to top Brown University in overtime, 70-68, on Friday night at the Pizzitola Sports Center.
Starting its first back-to-back Ivy League weekend of the season, the Crimson (10-6, 1-1 Ivy) used a 16-3 run to turn a 48-40 deficit into a 56-51 edge in the second half and scored six of the final eight points of overtime to earn the road victory over the Bears (7-8, 0-2 Ivy).
On the game's decisive play, senior guard
Idan Tretout passed the ball to cutting junior guard
Sam Silverstein who converted a reverse layup with 7.6 seconds left to break a 68-68 tie.
Harvard improved to 26-5 in overtime games under
Tommy Amaker, The Thomas G. Stemberg '71 Family Endowed Coach for Harvard Men's Basketball.
Gallery: (1-6-2023) Men's Basketball at Brown
Harvard Highlights
- Senior guard/forward Chris Ledlum finished with a game-high 21 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, scoring 19 of his 21 points over the second half and overtime. He scored in double figures for the 15th time in 16 games this season and went over 20 points for the seventh time, including for the third straight game. Ledlum paced the Crimson in scoring for the 13th time this season and in rebounding for the 12th time.
- Senior guard Luka Sakota netted 13 points on 4-of-8 field goals, 3-of-5 3-pointers, and 2-of-2 free throws alongside five rebounds and a game-best three steals. He scored in double figures for the seventh time this year.
- Senior guard Idan Tretout posted nine points, a game-high five assists, and four rebounds, making 4-of-7 field goals. He led Harvard in assists for the fourth time this year.
- First-year forward Chisom Okpara tallied nine points, three assists, and two boards, connecting on 3-of-4 field goals, 1-of-2 treys, and 2-of-2 free throws.
- Junior forward Justice Ajogbor registered eight points, three rebounds, and a game-high three blocks.
- Junior guard Sam Silverstein posted seven points and a game-high nine rebounds. Silverstein scored the game-winning basket with 7.6 seconds left. He led the Crimson in rebounding for the third time this year.
- Harvard made 17-of-33 field goals (51.5 percent) between the second half and overtime.
How It Happened
- Neither team held a lead larger than one possession until the Crimson used an 11-4 run to pull ahead 21-17 with 8:36 to go in the first half. First-year guard Chandler Piggé, Tretout, and Sakota all hit 3-pointers during the stretch.
- The Bears then scored 11 straight points to pull ahead 28-21 with 1:57 to go in the first half before Okpara and Tretout responded with back-to-back baskets to bring the visitors within 28-25 at the break.
- The Crimson tied the score at 34-34 at the 15:49 mark of the second half after five straight points from Ledlum and remained within 41-40 with 11:40 to go in regulation prior to the Bears using a 7-0 spurt to pull ahead 48-40 with 8:52 on the clock.
- Harvard answered with 11 straight points and a 16-3 run overall to re-take a 56-51 edge with 4:16 to go in regulation. During the run, Ledlum scored six points, Silverstein and Sakota each hit 3-pointers, and Okpara capped the stretch with a basket.
- The Crimson remained ahead 62-57 with 3:10 left following 3-pointers from Sakota and Okpara before the Bears scored the final five points of regulation to force overtime at 62-62.
- Ledlum opened overtime with a basket before Brown scored four straight points to move ahead 66-64 with 3:06 to play. Okpara and Ledlum each hit two free throws to make it 68-66 prior to the Bears tying it at 66-66 with 34 seconds left.
- Silverstein then scored the game-winning bucket with 7.6 seconds to go, cutting to receive a pass from Tretout and converting the reverse layup. Harvard scored six of the final eight points in the bonus session.
Next Up
Harvard continues Ivy League play – and concludes a six-game road swing – at Yale tomorrow – Saturday, Jan. 7 – at 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+).
