Finally, the player who quarterbacked the offense, point guard Prasse-Freeman, performed admirably despite early foul trouble. He contributed eight assists along with six points and was tough on the boards and on the floor with eight rebounds and three steals.

All in all, the game was a duel in the tradition of Harvard-Dartmouth basketball. In the last seven years, the Crimson holds a slight edge with an 8-6 advantage over the Big Green.

"Look at the record," Sullivan said. "Dartmouth had won three out of the last four games here, and I think we have done the same thing up there. It's like so unpredictable that nothing really holds true…it reinforces the spirit the kids have for rivalry in the Ivy League, and really, this was about Ivy basketall today, and both teams had a sense of that."

Yet, Dartmouth falls to a dismal 1-6--its only victory against Division III Haverford--while the Crimson jumps to 4-3. For Harvard, this match could set the tone for the upcoming Ivy season for this talented but young team.

"We've been a little inconsistent," Sullivan said. "But I think we're moving along okay for having half the team in the freshman and sophomore class."

In any case, the Crimson has its first league win under its belt and any momentum that follows it.

"That [win] is just huge," Clemente said. "We're 1-0 in league, and that's just great. This league is going to be so close this year, and every win is important."

Harvard continues its season on Tuesday with a non-conference bout against Vermont at Lavietes Pavilion. Tip-off is at 7pm.