A lack of size, speed and ball-handling ability doomed the Harvard men's basketball team, as it lost for the first time last night, dropping an 87-82 decision to Marist at Lavietes Pavilion.

Marist (2-2) led for the entire game, and although the Crimson closed to 79-75 with 38 seconds left, Marist made 6-of-6 free throws after that to close out the win.

Junior forward Dan Clemente scored a game-high 26 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range. Captain Damian Long had 16 points, while forward Tim Coleman and guard Andrew Gellert also finished in double figures for the Crimson.

Guard Rick Smith had 20 points in 22 minutes for Marist, including 7-of-8 from the line. Six players overall for Marist were in double digits in points, and forward Tomasz Cielebak had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

For the second straight game, Harvard scored 50 or more points in the second half, but with the Red Foxes muscling the ball inside and picking up offensive rebounds, the Crimson defense was unable to make Harvard's offensive prowess count.

The key statistic in this game was rebounds. Marist ended up outrebounding Harvard (3-1) 40-32 and getting 19 points off offensive rebounds. With Marist playing 6'9 Cielebak and 6'10 center Tom Kenney under the basket, the Crimson didn't have the size to get good position.

In its three previous victories, Harvard had averaged 36.3 rebounds to its opponents' 35 a game.

"They had too many second-chance opportunities," Harvard Coach Frank Sullivan said. "They had more height. We need rebounding out of the five and three-spot."