Harvard Prevails Over Cornell for Coach Amaker’s 300th Win

Harvard men’s basketball (8-13, 4-5 Ivy) emerged victorious Saturday night, prevailing 75-73 over Cornell (13-7, 5-3 Ivy) and earning head coach Tommy Amaker’s 300th career victory.

Four Crimson players notched double figures in the contest, led by sophomore Thomas Batties II’s season high 21 points.

“Really proud of our guys for being ready to go,” Amaker said in a post-game press conference. “After a tough loss last weekend, I was really proud of the team’s effort and spirit. We were knocked down but we were not knocked out. We did the necessary things to find the finish line, Thomas played a hell of a game.”

Amaker also noted the timing of his accomplishment, which fell on the team’s alumni weekend.

“I’m proud of that,” said Amaker of his career night. “Being a part of this school and this league has been very meaningful to me. This is alumni reunion weekend, a lot of those guys who are here were a part of that and tremendous staff to contribute, those things are program accomplishments. I’m proud of it for all of us.”

Harvard quickly found its rhythm against Cornell through senior Evan Nelson, who drilled two treys from the top of the key to propel the Crimson into an early 10-2 lead. Batties II took control of the offense, pouring in nine points — including two emphatic slam dunks — to extend the margin to 23-7.

The Crimson’s suffocating defense stifled Cornell, while freshman Robert Hinton and senior Louis Lesmond each connected from beyond the arc, pushing the lead to 31-15. Though Big Red found some offensive momentum behind Cooper Noard’s 16 point first half, the team remained in a deep hole, trailing 42-24 with five minutes left before the break.

Cornell seemingly recovered from the horrendous half, reducing the deficit to a manageable 42-30 and showing signs of life. Nelson quickly snuffed out the rally, draining another triple and converting a steal into a fast-break layup, sending Amaker’s squad into halftime with a commanding 47-30 advantage.

Amaker spoke after the game about the “critical” leadership of his upperclassmen.

“We’re going to go as far as our old veterans, senior captains can lead us,” Amaker said. “They were making critical plays when we needed something to stem the tide and break the momentum. Very timely but not surprising.”

Batties II picked up right where he left off, opening the second half with back-to-back baskets, including another powerful two handed jam. Despite his strong start, Cornell steadily clawed back from beyond the arc, knocking down two threes that cut Harvard’s lead to 51-38. The Crimson briefly pushed the margin back up to 56-38, but its defense began to unravel, as Big Red fired off an 8-0 run capped by an Adam Hinton trey.

However, Harvard’s own Hinton wasn’t about to let his brother’s team gain any more ground. Charging down the lane, he soared for a layup, landing violently but earning a trip to the charity stripe for an and-one that lifted the Lavietes crowd. Hinton did not cash in and Harvard’s offense hit a cold spell, allowing Cornell to cut the deficit to single digits.

Junior captain Chandler Piggé muscled his way for a tough hook shot-and-one opportunity as he flexed to the crowd. Batties II drove baseline, knocking down a floater high off the glass and extending Harvard’s lead to 66-52. Big Red remained unfazed in the face of the opposing raucous crowd, rattling off a 10-0 run that sent shockwaves down the Crimson bench.

The teams continued to trade baskets with Cornell making little progress, trailing 70-67 with 1:50 remaining. The Crimson turned the ball over in its next possession, leading Cornell to cut the deficit to one and put pressure on Harvard to execute offensively.

Late into the shot clock, Batties II attempted an errant hook shot but freshman Austin Hunt valiantly gathered the offensive board, forcing Cornell to foul. The Crimson suffered free throw woes, opening the door for Cornell to steal the game.

Twice down 75-73, Big Red guard Nazir Williams had an opportunity to tie the game, but he went 0-2 from the charity stripe and narrowly missed a half court heave to end the game.

After today’s result, Amaker joins Princeton’s Pete Carril, Yale’s James Jones, and Penn’s Fran Dunphy as exclusive members of the Ivy League 300-win club. Harvard remains sixth place in the Ivy League, but two games behind from earning a bid to Ivy Madness.

—Staff writer Oscar E. Mercado can be reached at oscar.mercado@thecrimson.com.