The Crimson basketball team romped over a powerless University of Massachusetts squad last night to open its season with an impressive 84-58 victory.

The varsity revealed both offensive and defensive rough edges, but held the UMass five at arms' length throughout the contest. Completing a remarkable 53 per cent of all field goal attempts, the Crimson allowed its opponents a meager 27 per cent.

George Harrington, the 5-7 guard who starred last season, tallied 17 points to tie Monk Muncaster as leading scorer. Muncaster, a 6-4 senior forward, scored on half his field goal attempts. Harrington made little better than a third of his field goal shots, but drew frequent fouls and completed seven of eight free throw attempts.

Crimson center Bryant Danner turned in an encouraging performance, scoring 14 points, and grabbing 13 rebounds. Dick Woolston led the squad on the boards with 14 rebounds, and scored eight points. Bob Repetto tallied 13 points.

The Massachusetts Redmen opened scoring in the game, with two quick baskets, but the Crimson quickly took control. Bob Repetto made the first Crimson basket and Danner sunk a backward set shot to tie the score. Muncaster was fouled by Don Akerson, and made one free throw, missing on his second attempt. Repetto completed a long shot from the outside and the Crimson took over.

By the end of the first quarter of play the varsity had scored 22 points while holding the Redmen to 12. Crimson Coach Floyd Wilson then turned off the heat, and sent Mike Donohue and Griff McClellan in for Repetto and Woolston, who had sparked the early scoring and rebounding.

With seven minutes remaining in the first half, UMass applied a full court press, but the varsity was only spurred on to a new scoring outburst. Wilson sent Repetto and Woolston back in, however, as UMass ballhawking began to get results. The half closed with the varsity in the lead by 38 to 22.

The Crimson opened the second half with a 16-point scoring outburst, during which the Redmen were able to score only one free throw. The frantic UMass squad fouled heavily in its efforts to curb the Crimson, but the varsity continued to strengthen its lead. Donohue and Leo LaBlanc came near to blows after both had dived for the ball with four minutes remaining in the game.

The varsity held its own during the final minutes of the contest, although a 9 point scoring spree by Massachusetts substitute Bob Eichorn narrowed the final margin to 84 to 58.