It was a wacky scene at Briggs Cage last night.

Even before the opening tipoff, the fans were on their feet.

They weren't cheering. Actually, they were waiting... and waiting... and waiting... for the playing of the national anthem.

A problem with the tape recorder forced announcer and senior Kirkland House resident Dan Ramos to fill in on vocal.

"It was very proud moment for me," Ramos said. "I've known the words for a while. I think I belted it out pretty nicely."

"I didn't think he could hit all the high notes, but his range was incredible," junior Co-Captain Beth Wambach said. "He should sing at every home game."

Maybe he should. Although Ramos' rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was Roseanne Barresque, it seemed to fire up the Crimson squad, which rolled past Central Connecticut State University, 83-60.

Harvard (3-5 overall) came out strong, getting on the board just five seconds into the game when senior forward Jen Mazanec broke away from center court and sank a lay-up.

For the next five minutes it was all Maura Healey. The junior point-guard scored a quick seven points, including a three-pointer. After a short rest on the bench, Healey returned to hit a pretty off-balance baseline jumper.

Those nine points were all Healey scored, but her smooth ballhandling kept Harvard on track. Healey has seen less playing time this season because of the plethora of guards on the team, but her presence was felt on the court last night.

"It was nice to win again," Healey said. "I've started the last three games--I'm happy about that--but I'd be happier if we had a few more wins."

Performances like last night's should certainly provide Harvard's faithful with some happiness. Harvard shot only 40 percent from the field in the first half, but stormed to a 42-30 halftime lead thanks to 17 offensive rebounds.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

While the teams were in their respective locker rooms planning out their strategies for the second half, the fans were treated to a Secret Santa halftime show. In the Kirkland House tradition of wild holiday festivities, football lineman Milan Kosanovich was put through a challenging shooting contest by his Secret Santa.

Donning a Santa hat and a six-inch plastic nose, Kosanovich sank his first free throw and three-pointer, thrilling the crowd.