“[Free throws were] another thing that [was] alarming for us because we’ve been a very good foul shooting team,” Amaker said. “When you’re struggling [to score] and get to the foul line, you want to cash in and stop runs, and it didn’t [happen] for us.”

GO SIYA WES-TERN

Though Harvard struggled defensively and at the line, Saunders and freshman point guard Siyani Chambers chipped in career scoring highs on the offensive end.

The sophomore registered 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while Chambers contributed 16 points, to go with eight assists.

Chambers’ and Saunders’ 15 and 12 second half points, respectively, helped bring the Crimson back into the game in the second period, when it outscored Vermont by seven.

The pair did all of Harvard’s scoring on a 12-3 run early in the half that got the Crimson within three at 55-52. Saunders hit one of two free throws, then had a steal and transition dunk off a Chambers assist. The rookie then hit a three and found Saunders off of penetration for another long ball before Saunders returned the favor by kicking out to Chambers for a third three.

That shot put Harvard at 5-of-6 from long distance, but the Crimson hit only one more of its attempts from behind the arc for the rest of the night, helping Vermont stave off a Harvard comeback attempt.

Nonetheless, Amaker was pleased with the performance of his two talented starters.

“I thought [Siyani] played exceptionally well,” Amaker said. “And [without much depth], we need Wesley to do a lot more for this team, and he’s capable of it. You see that in his performance, and how efficient he’s been.”

—Staff writer Scott A. Sherman can be reached at ssherman13@college.harvard.edu.