NEW YORK--Sometimes, a New Year's Day hangover lasts more than a day.

For the Harvard men's basketball team, the hangover seems like it's never going to go away.

After falling to Division II Merrimack, 80-72, last weekend, the Crimson (4-6) suffered a 77-66 trouncing to Manhattan here at Draddy Gymnasium in front of 1000 fans last night.

"We've had a tough time shooting the ball and it is hard to stay in a game plan when you get down by 15 points," Harvard Coach Pete Roby said.

The Jaspers (6-9) held the Crimson to 41 percent shooting in the first half, while carving out a 44-26 half-time lead.

Aided by the play of freshmen Dave Althaver and Russ Williams, the Jaspers jumped out to a 14-point lead halfway through the first half.

"I think the key to the game was the play of the two freshman in the first ten minuites," Manhattan Coach Bob Delle Bovi said.

Senior Captain Billy Wheeler celebrated his 23rd birthday by tallying 23 points for the Jaspers.

Neil Phillips topped all Crimson scores for the second consecutive game, scoring 13 points.

Harvard leading scorer and rebounder Ralph James scored only six points, the first time since the St. John's opener that he has been held below double figures.

"They didn't shut down Ralph," Roby said, "Ralph shut himself down. He's got to let the game come to him."

Trying to shake things up, Roby started junior David Lang in place of Tri-Captain Bill Mohler. Lang responded with six first half rebounds.

"Dave's been playing well, and Bill's been struggling a little," Roby said.

After halftime, though, Lang was called for four quick personal fouls in a two-and-a-half minute span.

Harvard had its seventh team foul only five minutes into the second half and Manhattan made good on the bonus, scoring 25 points (25-of-33 free throws) from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, Harvard only took six free throws, making four.

"We can't get down." Lang said after the game, "we've been practing well and we have to stop gameslippage."

The game was soon out of reach and Coach Roby responded by sending in his second team.

The Harvard comeback effort managed to cut into a 23-point deficit, 68-45, and bring it within 11 by the end of the game.

"Harvard had some great role players, but only two real offensive threats [Harvard Tri-Captain Mike Gielen and James]," Delle Bovi said.

Manhattan, 77-66 at Draddy Gymnasium, Riverdale New York Manhattan  44-33--77 Harvard  26-40--66

HARVARD (66):Kyle Dodson 4-2--10; Neil Phillips 6-0--13; David Lang 2-0--4; Ralph James 2-2--6; Mike Gielen 3-0--7; Bill Mohler 1-0--2; Kevin Collins 4-0--8, Tedd Evers 2-0--4; Sean Duffy 3-0--6, Tom Morrison 0-0--0, Dana Smith 1-1--3; Brian Mackey 1-0--3; Scott Gilly 0-0--0.

Totals: 29-62 4-6 81.

Manhattan (76):Billy Wheeler 8-7--23, Dave Althaver 5-3--13, Pete Runge 5-10--20, Ed Lawson 3-2--8, Russ Williams 4-0-8, John DeGennaro 0-0-0, Steve Boyle 0-0-0, Jamil Adams 0-1--1, Ken Bouyer 1-0--2, Antoine Owens 0-0--0-, Mike Dunn 0-2--2-, Greg Rock 0-0--0, Alex Rocke 0-0--0.

Totals: 26-50 25-33 77.

Three-pointers: Gielen 2, Mackey, Phillips; Fouled out: Mohler. Total fouls: Manhattan 11; Harvard 21. Assists: Manhattan 24 (Lawson 8); Harvard 21 (Gielen 6). Turnovers: Manhattan 14; Harvard 15. Rebounds: Manhattan 34 (Runge 10); Harvard 29 (Lang 9).

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