Nov. 22, 2005

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WORCESTER, Mass. - All five Harvard starters scored in double figures, as the Crimson posted a 70-55 victory over the Holy Cross men's basketball team at the Hart Center. Junior guard Jim Goffredo led Harvard with 17 points, while junior guard Keith Simmons (Kingston, N.Y.) had a team-high 15 points for the Crusaders. Holy Cross falls to 2-1 on the season with the loss, while Harvard improves to 2-0 overall.

Both teams struggled to score during a first half which featured 14 lead changes. Neither team led by more than three points at any time in the half, before the Crimson took a 24-23 lead into the locker room. Harvard increased its lead to three points (29-26) early in the second half, before Holy Cross went on a 16-4 run to build a nine-point lead (42-33). Six different players scored for the Crusaders during that spurt, and Holy Cross appeared to have the momentum with 10:30 left to play.

But the Crusaders then went cold from the field, and would make only one shot from the floor in the next nine minutes. Harvard used a 10-0 run during that time to reclaim the lead, and would gradually build its advantage up to double figures with just 1:32 remaining in the game. The Crimson made 11 of 13 free throw attempts over the final four minutes of play to help secure the victory.

Junior guard Torey Thomas (White Plains, N.Y.) totaled 11 points, five rebounds and four steals for the Crusaders, while senior guard Kevin Hamilton (Queens Village, N.Y.) added 10 points and six rebounds, while tying a school single-game record with seven steals. Senior guard Michael Beal posted a double-double for Harvard with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while junior center Brian Cusworth and freshman guard Drew Housman both added 12 points.

Holy Cross returns to action on Friday, Nov. 25, when it travels to Cincinnati for an 8:00 p.m. game.