A full court press and a four-corner offense provided an effective system of checks and balances to help the Harvard basketball team curb the power of the Brandeis Judges last night at the IAB, 96-91.

The defense rested early and both offenses shifted into high gear in the first half. The Crimson jumped out to a 23-13 lead in the opening minutes and maintained an 8-12 point lead throughout the contest until Brandeis closed to within four points late in the game.

At that point the roars of the vocal Brandeis crowd, which packed the court, were drowned out by the swishing of Harvard free throws. Brain Banks, Glenn Fine, Cyrus Booker, and Bob Allen picked up eight of Harvard's last ten points down the stretch at the charity stripe.

Everybody on the Crimson bench except the coaches and managers saw playing time in the first half as Harvard tried to wear down the Judges. Twelve hoopsters made it into the scoring column to combine for a blistering 62 per cent field goal average at halftime.

Forward Walter Harrigan kept the Judges in the contest by scoring a game high 40 points. Harrigan picked up 20 markers each half hitting from inside and outside.

As soon as the Crimson opened up its lead, Harvard Coach Frank McLaughlin rapidly started shuffling new players into the lineup. Mark Hadley eagerly hit three short jump shots and Douglas McIntosh popped two jumpers, one from the ozone layer, to keep the pressure on the Judges. Meanwhile, Harrigan scored ten points of his own to prevent the Crimson from opening a wider gap.

Brian Banks then entered the lineup for the first time and reeled off six points which were countered by John Martin, who tallied 19 points in a supporting role for the Judges.

The Crimson began the second half by adding four points to its 57-48 halftime lead, thanks to a quick jumper by Allen and a steal by the pressing defense. Once again Harrigan prevented Harvard from blowing the game wide open by pumping in four more buckets for Brandeis.

Both teams traded field goals until Martin and Harrigan narrowed the Crimson lead to four points, 86-82, with 3:56 remaining in the contest. At the 3:02 mark Harvard shifted into the four-corner offense with Glenn Fine controlling the ball at the top of the key.

Fine Penetration

Fine penetrated the Judges' defense several times and passed the ball to Banks and Booker, who were each fouled when they attempted to lay the ball into the hoop. Banks dropped four free throws and Booker two to send the Judges back to chambers.

Balanced scoring and effective passing characterized the Harvard offense, with six players hitting double figures. Banks and Booker led the team with 16 markers each while Fine and Frank Konstantynowicz deftly dealt the ball to teammates on the fast break to record the majority of the 24 assists attributed to the Crimson hoopsters.