While this might be senior Wesley Saunders’s last time playing in TD Garden wearing a Harvard uniform, don’t be surprised if the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year finds his way onto the hardwood of another professional team next year.

On a night when many of his teammates struggled, Saunders was dynamic, showcasing a plethora of moves that could ascend to the next level. The swingman poured in a game-high 24 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and going five-of-six from the charity stripe. The effort proved to be not enough to put Holy Cross away, as his team fell, 58-57, at TD Garden on Sunday.

“I think they came out with a level of intensity that was higher than ours, and we never matched it,” Saunders said. “This is a big reason why they came out on top, along with the turnovers and forcing us into tough shots.”

After Holy Cross burst out to an 8-0 lead, Saunders found senior Jonah Travis, setting up Travis for the dunk. Despite the slow start, Saunders remained calm. After knocking down a jumper, the Los Angeles native then proceeded to drain a seemingly nonchalant three-pointer as he shrugged off his defender.

Following a seven-minute stretch in the first half during which no Crimson player managed to score a single point, Saunders ignited the Harvard bench with an acrobatic up-and-under reverse flip shot, drawing the foul and completing the three-point play. With less than eight minutes to go in the first half, Saunders accounted for all of Harvard’s points aside from his assist to Travis.

Similarly, following a 9-0 run by the Crusaders to open up the second half, Saunders was able to stop their momentum by penetrating the lane and drawing the foul, before knocking down two free throws.

Saunders’ ability to control his body and finish with contact was on full display Sunday night. Countless times, Saunders used his wide frame to attack the lane and draw contact, hanging in the air and finishing for the and-one.

The senior’s aggressiveness and ability to finish around the rim forced Holy Cross to collapse on him, leading to open looks for sophomore marksman Corbin Miller and freshman Andre Chatfield from beyond the arc.

Though Saunders has been the team’s leading scorer the past two seasons, his presence on the defensive end helped keep the Crimson close all the way on Sunday night. He recorded game-highs in rebounds and steals, 12 and four respectively, along with three blocks.

Despite Saunders’ brilliant effort on both sides of the court, it all came down to one play. With 10.9 remaining and his team down one, Saunders dribbled the ball at the top of the key.

Looking for just one more buck, the senior drove and spun, getting his man in the air on the pump fake. While the jumper did not fall, it is seriously doubtful that Harvard would have even had a chance to steal the game from Holy Cross without his standout performance.

THE ENERGIZER BUNNIES

If slow starts continue to be a trend for Harvard, expect to see a lot more of Travis and Chatfield. Though neither player has the ability to really take over a game, both have exemplified a knack for providing a big boost for their team when it’s needed it the most.

After coming off of the bench for most of the 2013-2014 season, Travis started for the second straight game on Sunday. The forward was incredibly efficient, going four-of-six from the floor for nine points.

Travis displayed a great ability to move off the ball, and was the recipient of two beautiful bounce passes from Saunders and junior co-captain Siyani Chambers for emphatic dunks. In addition, just as Holy Cross looked as if it may distance itself, Travis showcased some nifty footwork, knocking down a fadeaway jumper to make it a one-possession game.