PRINCETON, N.J. – First-year guard
Robert Hinton scored a career-high 31 points on 10-of-15 field goals, 3-of-3 3-pointers, and 8-of-9 free throws, but Harvard Men's Basketball fell at Princeton University, 76-71, on Friday night at Jadwin Gymnasium.
Opening its final road back-to-back weekend of the season, the Crimson (9-14, 4-6 Ivy) cut a 65-47 deficit with 8:44 remaining down to seven points at 72-65 with 1:31 left and to five points at 76-71 with six seconds to go before the host Tigers (17-8, 6-4 Ivy) held on for the decision.
Hinton eclipsed the 30-point plateau for the first time in his career and finished with 20 or more points for the fifth time this season behind his game-best 31 points. Senior guard
Louis Lesmond (11 points, 5-of-8 shooting, four rebounds), and junior guard
Chandler Piggé (10 points, team-high six rebounds, team-best five assists) joined him in double figures.
Harvard Highlights
- First-year guard Robert Hinton scored a career and game-high 31 points on 10-of-15 field goals, 3-of-3 3-pointers, and 8-of-9 free throws. He eclipsed 30 points for the first time in his career, notched his fifth 20-point game of the year, and finished in double figures for the 16th time on the season. Hinton led the Crimson in scoring for the ninth time, set a career high in 3-pointers made, and matched his career high in free throws made. He connected on double-digit field goals for the third time this year.
- Senior guard Louis Lesmond netted 11 points on 5-of-8 field goals with four rebounds. He scored in double figures for the ninth time on the year and 31st time in his career.
- Junior guard Chandler Piggé tallied 10 points, a team-high six rebounds, a team and career-high five assists, and two steals. He scored in double figures for the 19th time this year and led the Crimson in rebounding for the 16th time this season.
- Senior guard Evan Nelson added nine points, four assists, two rebounds, and two steals, while hitting 5-of-5 free throws, and sophomore forward Thomas Batties II chipped in seven points and three rebounds.
- Harvard connected on 17-of-18 free throws (94.4 percent), marking its highest percentage in Ivy League play this season and best percentage in any game with seven or more attempts this year.
- The Crimson shot 50.0 percent from the field (24-of-48), shooting 50 percent or better for the seventh time this season.
Gallery: (2-21-2025) Men's Basketball at Princeton
How It Happened
- The Crimson opened the game with a 12-10 edge at the 13:39 mark of the first half as Lesmond and Hinton each scored five points in the early action.
- Harvard remained ahead 21-19 with 6:53 left in the first half following five straight points from Lesmond before the Tigers used a 10-2 run to pull ahead 29-23 with 4:13 to go in the opening half.
- After a jumper from Hinton kept Harvard within 29-25, the Tigers pushed the margin to 41-27 behind a 12-2 spurt before a tip-in from Lesmond brought the visitors within 41-29 at the break.
- The Crimson pulled within 50-43 with 14:14 to play after Nelson hit three consecutive free throws and Hinton knocked down a 3-pointer. The hosts then used a 15-4 run to move ahead 65-47 with 8:44 remaining.
- Harvard countered with an extended 18-7 run to cut the deficit to 72-65 with 1:31 on the clock. Hinton scored 11 points during the run, including nine points during an 11-2 spurt from the 5:57 to 2:45 marks.
- The Crimson converted 6-of-6 free throw attempts inside of the final minute before the hosts held on for the decision.
Next Up
Harvard plays at Penn tomorrow – Saturday, Feb. 22 – at 6:00 p.m. (ESPN+, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Philadelphia+).
