Throughout the rest of the game, the Crimson would extend the lead to 27 points, but Babson, unbowed, nibbled the lead down to 16 when the final buzzer sounded.
Although happy with the win, neither Sullivan nor his players were completely satisfied with the team's play.
"During the first half we seemed to be a little tired," sophomore guard James White said. "We weren't playing as hard as usual and we were even with them.
"The second half, though, was a lot better. We picked up the pressure on our defense a little bit, and our offense improved."
The increased pressure in the second half produced more skin-on-skin action than a Madonna video. Collectively, the two team committed 31 second-half fouls.
"We played them physical, that's for sure," Sullivan said. "I thought we did a good job of applying the pressure. We forced them to do some things they didn't want to do."
The Crimson was led in the game by Captain Tyler Rullman, who tallied a quiet 23 points.
White Makes Noise
Of any Harvard player, White was probably the noisiest. After getting off to somewhat of a slow start this season, averaging only six points in the first three games, he tallied 17 points, including a couple of impressive dunks.
The sophomore made some nice defensive plays, garnering five steals in the contest before fouling out.
"James did a nice job for us tonight," Sullivan said. "Like the rest of the team, was a little disappointed with his play in the first half, but he really got on the right track in the second."
HARVARD, 80-64 at Briggs Cage Harvard 38 42 -- 80 Babson 26 38 -- 64
FG: Harvard--Rullman 9, White 7, Carter 6, Campbell 2, Gilmore 2, Morris 2, Llopis 2, Rankin 2; Babson--Lahiff 6, Dellasanta 5, Richards 3, Beaulieu 2, Manning 1, Leip 1, St. Martin 1, Palmer 1. 3-pts: Harvard--Rullman 2, Gilmore 1; Babson--Lahiff 4, Manning 1, Dellasanta 1. Pts: Harvard--Rullman 23, James 17, Carter 12, Campbell 10, Gilmore 5, Arturo 5, Morris 4, Rankin 4; Babson--Dellsanra 17, Lahiff 16, Richards 8, Beaulieu 6, Xerras 5, Manning 4, Leip 2, St. Martin 2, Palmer 2, Luongo 2. Blk: Harvard--Llopis 2, Kubiak 2; Babson--St. Martin 1.
Halftime: Harvard, 38-26