Harvard Coach Frank Sullivan welcomed the surprising contribution from Merchant.

“He was a great lift off the bench to start the first half,” Sullivan said. “To see him come back after ten days out and score like that was surprising.”

Foul trouble and turnovers plagued the Crimson throughout the second half after Harvard committed only four turnovers and four fouls in the first stanza.

Junior guard Elliott Prasse-Freeman and Coleman both sat with four personal fouls at the five-minute mark, and

Prasse-Freeman later fouled out. Fairfield went to the line 13 times after intermission after attempting no free throws in the first half.

Coleman had a solid return to the starting lineup after sitting out last season, finishing with nine points and a game-high eight rebounds.

To lead Fairfield, Gai, an athletic 6’5 freshman, scored 19 points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks.

After the game, Merchant said he thought the team had played with a high level of intensity and was beginning to come together as a group.

“We came out with so much intensity tonight that it was fun to play,” Merchant said. “We just need to keep the intensity up, and it’s going to come together for us.”

The Crimson returns to action tomorrow in another non-conference matchup on the road against Holy Cross.