For a team that has been out-scored by 35 points in the first half, is off to its worst start in over a decade and is taking on a team that trounced its last opponent 82-58, it would seem that things are a little bleak.

But don’t tell that to the Harvard men’s basketball team.

“We’re bound to get our first win against Lehigh. I’m sure about that,” said sophomore forward Matt Stehle.

Even a former member of the Crimson echoed this surprising confidence.

“I don’t think that there is anything wrong with this team,” said former captain Brady Merchant ’03.

It seems Stehle’s and Merchant’s confidence in the team’s chances of picking up that elusive first win when it hosts the Mountain Hawks (2-3) tonight at 7 p.m. comes from the fact that the Crimson (0-4) has improved in several key statistical categories throughout its tough losses.

In the season opener against Fairfield Harvard shot only 33.9 percent from the field, but managed to knock down 45.2 percent of its field goals against Maine on Tuesday.

Harvard’s turnover-to-assist ratio has also improved. While hovering around two-to-one in its first three games, the ratio was nearly one-to-one against Maine.

The games have also given the team some much needed help in finalizing certain players’ roles on the team. Stehle has emerged as the Crimson’s go-to man in the front court after recording his first career double-double on Tuesday, and is now second on the team in rebounds (23) and points (48).

Stehle has also proven himself as a dominant force on the defensive side, recording nine blocked shots. The rest of the squad has four blocked shots combined.

Harvard has been given time to iron out its unpredictable point guard situation, as sophomore Michael Beal—who leads the team in assists (15) and rebounds (27)—has established himself as the principal player. Junior David Giovacchini had originally started at the point in the team’s exhibition game against St. Francis-Xavier, but has since seen his time on the court dwindle, and saw only two minutes of action against the Black Bears.

“Mike right now is obviously our best point guard,” said assistant coach Bill Holden, who scouted Lehigh for the Crimson.

Despite these improvements, Harvard must correct its streak of weak first-half performances in order to shut down the Mountain Hawks and their explosive point guard Austen Rowland.

“He gets most of his baskets on conversions,” Holden said of Rowland. “He’s very explosive and creates a lot of opportunities. We just have to keep him in front of us.”

Rowland currently averages 29.4 minutes, 13.2 points and four assists per game—all tops for Lehigh.