In an uninspired, sluggish game the Harvard basketball team defeated M.I.T. last night on the latter's court by a 44-27 score.

As Coach Wes Fesler feared, the Crimson suffered a decided letdown, but the weakness of the Tech team enabled Harvard to coast along without ever being on the short end of the score. The chief feature of the play of both sides was the sloppy and careless passing which often messed up scoring bids. The Crimson hoopsters were particularly hindered by the small size of the Tech floor.

20-8 At Half

With the second lineup starting the game, Harvard immediately went into the lead on baskets by Lupe Lupien and Fred Heckel. After six minutes of play, the first team entered the fray with the score in favor of Harvard 8-6. They soon boosted it to 20-8 at the half.

For Harvard Lev White was high scorer with 10 points, followed closely by Vern Struck with eight markers.

Jayvees Win

Leading all the way the Jayvee team defeated Rhode Island College of Education 39-26 last night in the Indoor Athletic Building. With a starting lineup of Dobbyn and Sullivan, forwards, MacLeod, center, and Wills and Stephenson, guards, the home team garnered a commanding lead of 28-9 at the half and then coasted home to victory. Dick Sullivan was high scorer with eight points.

Doug MacLeod suffered a bad knee injury in the course of the game and will be out of action for about two weeks.

Victory For Freshman

The 1940 hoopsters defeated the M.I.T. Freshmen 43-28 at Tech in a preliminary game before the Varsity encounter. Piling up a total of 27-6 at the half, the Freshmen won handily. Chester Legg was high scorer with 14 points.

Varsity summary:

Grondahl, Lowman, Kuhn, rf

Heckel, McGowan, Shirk, lf

Herrick, Gray, c

Lupien, Struck, Sneil, rg

Dampeer, Whit, Litman, lg

Points" White 10, Struck 3, Gray 6, Herrick 5, Lowman 4, Heckel 4, McGowan 2, Lupien 2, Shirk 2