Last year, Gaston led the team with 17.1 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game, coming in second on his team in blocks and steals.

Also making an impact for Fordham this season, junior guard Branden Frazier—with 16.8 points per game this season—has put up game-high totals in scoring for the last three games, including a season-high 22 points against Fairfield.

Against veterans like Gaston and Frazier, Amaker will look to his rookies—especially Saunders—to continue to step up.

“We aren’t as deep [this year,] and we need Wesley to do a lot more for this team,” Amaker said. “You can see how efficient he’s been, but we need to get more help to him.”

After averaging 3.3 points per game with 14 minutes of playing time as a freshman, Saunders now leads the team with 15.6 points per game and is adjusting to his starting role.

On Saturday, Harvard will look to make a fresh start against Fordham and put last year’s loss in the past. The Crimson will attempt to right the ship after falling below .500 for the first time in the young season.

“[Fordham is] coming in with a lot of confidence, so I think we are just going to have to come out ready from the beginning, unlike we did tonight,” said Saunders, following Tuesday’s loss to Vermont. “If we compete and play hard, we’ll be fine.”