The senior was also a force in the paint. Travis grabbed seven rebounds and showcased an impressive ability to alter shots despite being only 6’ 6’’.

Chatfield, too, has provided a key spark for his team at crucial moments throughout the first two games.

After Harvard struggled to break away from MIT early in its home opener, Chatfield brought Lavietes Pavilion to its feet with a memorable one-handed slam. On Sunday, as Harvard again struggled in the first half, Chatfield provided key minutes, knocking down a clutch shot from deep to give the Crimson a 25-23 lead with two minutes remaining in the first half.

Chatfield struck again in the second period. Following a defensive rebound with 10:30 to play, Chatfield ran the floor, spotted up, and knocked down another three-pointer in transition with zero hesitation.

“He made two big threes which were big shots for us and gave us a shot in the arm when we needed it,” Amaker said. “I was very pleased with his performance and his poise.”

The speedy guard has fit right in with the fast pace of Chambers, as he has shown an ability to run the floor and get out on the break. As a result, with the game on the line on Sunday night, Amaker kept the freshman on the court, a clear sign of confidence in the young player.

At 6’ 4’’ and only 185 pounds, Chatfield’s build is much like that of the Los Angeles Clippers’s Jamal Crawford: skinny, lanky, with great footwork. But despite his slender frame, Chatfield has done nothing but battle and contest on defense.

The freshman pulled down four big rebounds on Sunday night, to go along with the three steals that he recorded against MIT. Chatfield played 21 minutes against Holy Cross, the most of any player off the bench.

“I never envisioned him playing as many minutes as he did, but we needed him,” Amaker said. “I was very impressed with his minutes and his effort.”

GIVING IT AWAY

The difference in Chambers from Friday night—when he did not turn the ball over once—to Sunday evening was night and day.

For a veteran who earned preseason recognition as a top point guard in the nation, Chambers’s performance against Holy Cross was something of an anomaly.  Flustered by countless double teams and full court pressure, the former Ivy League Rookie of the Year amassed nine turnovers in the loss.

“Your point guard has nine of the 24 [turnovers]—it is very difficult to think that we are going to beat a very good basketball team,” Amaker said.

But it wasn’t just the double teams and full court pressure that caused Chambers to lose the ball. Midway through the second half, Chambers had the ball taken right from his arms as he attempted to call out a play. Then, up 55-54 with just under three minutes to play, Chambers again struggled to break the press, traveling and giving the ball back to Holy Cross. Finally, after the Crusaders failed to score, Chambers, with 2:27 remaining, again lost the ball on an errant pass, leading to two free throws by senior guard Justin Burrell to put the Crusaders up, 56-55.

The press seemed to get to Chambers, who wasn’t available for comment after the game. He overthrew Saunders on a full-court outlet pass with just 1:54 left, allowing Holy Cross to eat up a majority of the clock.