“It’s more of a team effort this year,” Harvey said of the Crimson’s approach on defense. “Drew was definitely our go-to guy on defense last year, but without him, more people are working hard on defense to chip in.”

Harvard opened the game with a 10-0 outburst, spearheaded by seven quick points from Merchant. The Crimson shot 5-for-8 from the three-point line en route to building a 28-19 halftime lead.

The Crimson’s hot shooting cooled off after the break, as Harvard converted just 11-for-29 from the floor, including just 1-of-8 from downtown. The only three-pointer to fall was Harvey’s—his third of the game—and it was enough to push Harvard’s lead to 36-25 with 14:59.

That’s when Stony Brook made its charge, only to be upended by Harvard and its fast-emerging center.

And, at the rate that Cusworth continues to improve, the Sea Wolves probably won’t be the last Crimson foe to suffer such a fate.

—Staff writer Brian E. Fallon can be reached at bfallon@fas.harvard.edu.