In the win, the Crimson managed to deny Yale its calling cards. Harvard, led by Moundou-Missi and sophomore Zena Edosomwan, outrebounded its hosts, 42-32.

“They’re the best in our league at rebounding the ball,” Amaker said. “It was a point of emphasis for us, absolutely, and if we don’t do that, we have no chance of beating them.”

The Crimson also held the Bulldogs to their fewest points in Ivy play. Sears finished with just nine points on two-of-seven shooting.

The Bulldogs, with the help of two late Harvard turnovers, still managed to make things interesting in the final moments. With a 12-4 run, Yale cut the deficit all the way to two points with seven seconds left. But it was all for naught as co-captain Steve Moundou-Missi found Saunders on a critical inbounds pass, and Saunders sank two free throws to the tune of M-V-P chants to seal the win.

Yale’s fans, loud throughout, still cheered a meaningless buzzer-beating layup that brought the game to a close on the ensuing possession. Ultimately though, it was the traveling Crimson fans who got the final say.

—Staff writer Jacob D.H. Feldman can be reached at jacob.feldman@thecrimson.com.