CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Interstat) — Dartmouth opened Ivy League play with a 76-68 road victory over Harvard on Monday night at Lavietes Pavilion. The Big Green, led by Kareem Thomas’s 19 points and Connor Amundsen’s 18, used a strong second-half defensive effort to secure the win. Harvard led 39-40 at halftime but was held to 29 points after intermission. Austin Hunt and Robert Hinton each scored 16 for the Crimson. The result improved Dartmouth to 7-7 overall, while Harvard fell to 7-8. A crowd of 824 saw the Big Green overcome pregame odds that heavily favored the Crimson.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Interstat) — In a gritty Ivy League opener defined by defensive stands and critical second-half execution, the Dartmouth men’s basketball team overcame a halftime deficit and a significant pregame statistical disadvantage to defeat Harvard 76-68 on Monday night at Lavietes Pavilion. The most important part of the game unfolded over the final 12 minutes, as Dartmouth transformed a one-point contest into a resilient road victory. After Harvard’s Robert Hinton completed a layup to bring the Crimson within 55-54 with 11:38 remaining, the Big Green embarked on a decisive 15-3 run over the next six minutes. This surge, fueled by stifling defense and timely scoring, gave Dartmouth a commanding 70-57 lead from which Harvard could not recover. The run encapsulated Dartmouth’s winning formula. It began with a three-pointer from Connor Amundsen, who led Dartmouth with 18 points, and included a forceful dunk from Kareem Thomas, who finished with a game-high 19. Crucially, the Big Green defense held Harvard without a field goal for over four minutes during this stretch, forcing three turnovers and several contested misses. A key sequence saw Niko Abusara record a steal and convert a layup to push the lead to 13, effectively silencing the crowd of 824. Harvard, which had been projected to win with a 70.8% probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system and was favored by 6.5 points, struggled to find consistent offense all night. The Crimson shot just 40.3% from the floor and a frigid 28% from three-point range. Despite winning the offensive rebounding battle 12-5 and scoring 13 points off turnovers to Dartmouth’s seven, Harvard’s inefficiency proved costly. Dartmouth, meanwhile, won with precision. The Big Green shot 54.3% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Their offensive rating of 115.5 on 66 possessions starkly outperformed Harvard’s 104.4 on 65 possessions. While Dartmouth committed 11 turnovers and shot just 58.6% from the free-throw line, their ability to get quality looks and convert in the paint, where they scored 30 points, provided a steadying foundation. The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes. Harvard’s Austin Hunt, who finished with 16 points, and Chandler Pigge, who added 14, provided early offense. Dartmouth countered with Thomas and Amundsen, taking a narrow 40-39 lead into halftime after a late layup from Harvard’s Thomas Batties. Batties was a focal point for Harvard with eight points, five assists and relentless activity, but Dartmouth’s balance proved superior. Brandon Mitchell-Day provided a significant interior presence for the Big Green with 13 points, while Cameron McNamee added 11. For Harvard, Hinton joined Hunt in double figures with 16 points. The victory lifts Dartmouth to an even 7-7 overall record and a 1-0 start in Ivy League play. Harvard falls to 7-8 and 0-1 in the conference. The total score of 144 narrowly surpassed the over/under line of 144.5. Dartmouth next travels to face Cornell on Saturday, while Harvard will visit Columbia. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Hanover, New Hampshire, on Feb. 7.

Preview: Dartmouth Big Green at Harvard Crimson CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Interstat) — Ivy League play opens Monday night with Harvard hosting Dartmouth in a conference men’s basketball matchup at Lavietes Pavilion. Both teams enter league action at .500 or better in non-conference play, seeking an early advantage in the conference standings. Harvard (7-7) holds a slight edge in overall record over Dartmouth (6-7). The Crimson concluded their non-conference schedule with a 78-69 road win at Colgate on Dec. 28, while the Big Green routed Division III Elms 107-43 on Jan. 1. A key matchup will feature Dartmouth’s versatile forward Brandon Mitchell-Day against Harvard’s leading scorer Thomas Batties. Mitchell-Day is coming off a triple-double in just 18 minutes against Elms, posting 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Over his last six games, he has averaged 9.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists, showcasing his all-around game. Batties powered Harvard’s win over Colgate with a season-high 22 points and seven rebounds. The guard has been a consistent offensive threat, though he was held to seven points in a loss at Saint John’s on Dec. 23. Harvard has shown strength at home this season, including a dominant 81-53 victory over Holy Cross on Dec. 20. Dartmouth, however, has struggled on the road against high-major competition, with losses at Florida, Colorado State and Wyoming. In their most recent common opponent, both teams defeated Holy Cross by significant margins—Harvard by 28 and Dartmouth by 25 on the road. This game begins the 14-game Ivy League schedule for both programs. Following Monday’s contest, Harvard will travel to Columbia on Jan. 10, while Dartmouth will visit Cornell the same day. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.