Just as the new era in Harvard basketball seemed to be dawning, the Crimson quintet collapsed and lost to Boston University last night, 77 to 66.

Losing to B.U. was no disgrace, of course--the Terriers probably have the best team in the Boston area. But the game was a heartbreaker because the Crimson fell apart after playing 30 minutes of fine, aggressive basketball.

The turning point came at the start of the fourth quarter when Harvard, trailing 43 to 46, had a three-on-one fast break and blew three shots which could have tied it up. In the next horrifying minute, the Crimson also misfired a court-length pass to Merle McClung who was all alone near the basket, and had the ball stolen from sophomore guard Bill Fegley, normally a fine ballhandler.

Meanwhile, B.U.'s shooting was torrid, and when the smoke had cleared the Terriers led, 56 to 48. Harvard never recovered.

Giaring Weakness

The frustrating defeat pointed up the Crimson's one glaring weakness: lack of depth on the front line. Bob Inman, Merle McClung, and Barry Williams are excellent all-around players; the trio contributed 55 points and connected on 50 per cent of its shots. But while the Terriers could rotate the players on their balanced and talented squad, Harvard's big three were forced to play until they were exhausted--and then some.

The first half of the contest was a chilling, see-saw battle which saw the lead change hands 11 times. B.U. was big, fast, and alert on defense, ready to pounce on any Crimson miscues. But Harvard didn't make many mistakes. Paced by McClung, who scored 16 points in the first half, the Crimson shot well and rebounded creditably--despite the presence of two rubber-legged forwards and a 6 ft. 9 in. ox on the B.U. starting five.

Eight Consecutive Baskets

The biggest lead the Terriers could muster in the first half was three points, which were quickly erased when Muscular Merle pumped in eight consecutive markers.

But it was not the same Harvard team which took the court in the second half. Their shooting was mediocre and their rebounding sometimes listless, sometimes non-existent.

It was obvious that against B.U. the Crimson couldn't afford to let up for a minute. Junior forwards Randy Cross and Sheridan James were deadly marksmen from the outside and kangaroos under the boards. Guard Ken Leary, (5 ft. 7 in.), thought he was Bob Cousy--and could do almost anything with a basketball. Dick Moreshead (6 ft. 9 in.) was graceless--but Brobdingnagian.

Catastrophic Last Quarter

Somehow, the Crimson managed to avert catastrophe until the last quarter of play, but then Harvard's copious mistakes finally caught up with it.

Inman contributed 22 points for Harvard; McClung scored 21 and Williams had 12. But these three had no support. The rest of the team connected on a pathetic 4 of 23 field goal attempts. Fran Martin, Leo Soully, Al Bornheimer, Keith Sedlacek, and Bill Fegley were all ice-cold.

The Crimson's next game is against Northeastern at the IAB Wednesday. The Huskies have won four straight this season. If Harvard is going to have a chance against them--and in the Ivy League race this season--they simply must have some bench strength and at least one more member of the starting five who can shoot