But it was the effort from Norman that won’t show up in the box score that was perhaps most important in Harvard’s victory. Norman was assigned on defense to Lehigh’s best player, guard Jose Olivero, who came into the game averaging 15.2 points a game and 17.8 in his last five. Olivero scored a season-high 24 points last year against the Crimson in Lehigh’s 88-79 win in Pennsylvania. This time around, however, Norman held the sophomore standout to only eight points on 3-of-13 shooting, while forcing five turnovers.

“We went into the game saying Olivero was such a big component,” Sullivan said, “and I thought he covered him real well.”

Norman also sealed the win with a decisive two-handed dunk with 48 seconds remaining, putting the Crimson up 61-53 and killing any Lehigh hopes for a late comeback. The slam brought the house down, and threatened to bring the basket along with it.

“I guess I got good enough elevation to put it down,” Norman said. “I was trying to break the backboard.”

TALE OF TWO HALVES

Harvard sharpshooter Rogus was able to spring free in the first half for 15 points, including 3-of-5 from downtown. The effort was reminiscent of last season, when Rogus lead the Crimson in scoring and set a Harvard record for three-pointers made.

“We put in a couple new plays so he can run off some picks...and he got a couple shots and got it going early,” Giovacchini said.

After the Mountain Hawks wised up to the guard’s shooting prowess, however, Rogus found the going tough, as he has all season. The Lehigh defense hounded Rogus after his hot start, and the open looks evaporated after halftime. Rogus did not score after the break, and was only able to fire two shots in the second half.

“Kevin is manhandled every game,” Sullivan said. “He’s really got the target on his back. It’s hard for him to get free off of a lot of screens.”

—Staff writer Caleb W. Peiffer can be reached at cpeiffer@fas.harvard.edu.