The Crimson's 14-point halftime lead was due simply to better shooting. Cornell was 7-of-25 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range. Harvard, on the other hand, was hot, hitting 60 percent from the floor overall (15-of-25) and from long range (6-of-10).

The defensive pressure never let up. Long led the hustle with eight defensive rebounds and one highlight-reel play. After a Clemente score, the Big Red tried to throw a quick pass the length of the floor. Long was the only Harvard player not caught unawares, and chased after the ball. He jumped and extended almost horizontally, the ball barely missing his fingers as he went flying into the stands. He wasn't done. He collected himself after the horrific crash and blocked Cornell guard Kevin Cuttica's attempt at a layup.

Cornell hit more shots in the second half while the Crimson offense went into a lull. Mercedes's defense on Clemente held him to less production in the half, and Long made only one shot in the last 20 minutes. Luckily for the Crimson, the Big Red was unable to capitalize on poor Harvard possessions, continuing its abysmal three-point shooting, finishing at 6-of-22.

"We did a good job on their four and five men," Sullivan said. "We did well with Elliott on Prather."

A pleasant surprise for Harvard was the play of its bench. When guards Prasse-Freeman and Drew Gellert got into foul trouble, Merchant and Alex Lowder spelled the duo well on the defensive end. Merchant even chipped in eleven points.

Harvard could not have been happier about Clemente's play after missing nearly two months. He led all scorers with 24 points and played 35 minutes off the bench. Long also continued his increased offensive role, scoring 17 points, getting 11 boards and picking up five assists.

The Crimson, at 3-3 in the Ivy League, hits the road next weekend with big games against League giants Penn and Princeton.