The Crimson basketball team jumped off to a quick opening lead Saturday night; it led at half-time; it led with less than five minutes left in the game, and when the final buzzer sounded it had lost to Yale 56-52.

With both teams shooting poorly, rebounding became the key factor in the game, and here the Elis' really rough board play proved decisive. More than half of the Yale field goals were hit from close in, many on tip-ins. Rick Kaminsky, the Elis' big gun, had a bad night, scoring only 15 points, and making only six of 17 shots.

With five minutes left in the game, the varsity was out in front 48-46. Then, for only the second time in the last half. Yale went into the lead with four quick points. Merie McClung tied it up, but was called for charging after the shot. Kaminsky sank his two free throws to put Yale back into the lead, 52-50. Dennis Lynch hit for two and the score was knotted once again at 52-52 with less than two minutes left.

Both teams missed one shot, but with 50 seconds left, the Elis set their captain Steve Goulding up with an easy lay-up, to make it 54-52. The varsity missed its shot, and then fouled the Elis' Denny Lynch in a desperate attempt to regain possession. Lynch sank both his shots and the score was 56-52 as the buzzer sounded.

Lynch led Crimson scoring with 15, followed by Bob Inman (12) and Merie McClung (11).