Cagers Lose Another Squeaker, 70-68, Fordham Wins on 40-Foot Buzzer Shot

Coach Tom Sanders and his varsity cagers must be wondering what they have to do to win a basketball game around here.

After Saturday's heartbreaking loss to nationally-ranked Boston College, the Crimson traveled to Fordham University last night still looking for its first victory of the season. But it was not to be.

With four seconds to go and the game tied at 68, Fordham reserve guard Kevin Brown threw up a forty-foot desperation jump shot that tickled the twine. When the yelling and screaming had died down, Harvard had indeed lost its fourth straight game of the season, 70-68.

It was Saturday night all over again. The first half opened with both teams playing steady controlled basketball. The lead changed hands several times before the Crimson built up a 30-24 edge with 4:31 to go. Pivotman Brian Banks (12 points) and forward Cy Booker (10 points) hit several key jump shots during the spurt, but the Fordham offense came to life before the end of the half, trimming the Harvard lead to 36-35.

The second half began slowly for Harvard as captain Bill Carey, Banks, and playmaker Joe Leondis found themselves in foul trouble. Four minutes into the half, the Crimson had scored only two points as Fordham built up a 42-38 lead.

With Carey and Banks on the bench, Fordham dominated the offensive and defensive boards. Six foot-ten inch center Kevin Collins (17 points) combined with Fordham's high scoring forward Kevin Fallon (21 points) to raise Fordham to a 64-58 lead with only 5:02 left to go.

Harvard came storming back in the last five minutes of the game. Fordham went into its stall offense, and the Crimson responded by scoring eight straight points. Fordham missed a succession of key free throws, and with only 2:29 remaining, Banks converted two free throws to give Harvard a 66-64 lead.

Kevin Fallon's shot tied the game at 66 all with 1:42 remaining, but Harvard again came down court and worked the ball well as Leondis hit Banks at the low post for a five-foot turnaround jumper. The Crimson led 68-66 with a minute left.

Collins once more tied the game for Fordham, tapping in his own rebound with thirty-five seconds left. Harvard called time out and set up Cy Booker at the right corner, but his shot bounced high off the rim into the hands of Fordham's Kevin Brown. Four seconds, three dribbles, and two points later it was all over.

This Saturday, the cagers travel to Brandeis--to try again.