Playing on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, the Harvard Crimson (5-0) upset the No. 20 Florida State Seminoles (5-1) yesterday 46-41, shutting down one of the nation's best defensive teams with, well, great defense. Brandyn Curry, the star of Harvard, had six points, five assists and five steals as the Crimson cruised to victory in the low scoring affair.
"I don't think I've ever seen a game like that," Harvard coach Tommy Amaker told ESPN. "I find it hard to see how we were able to come out on top against a nationally ranked, outstanding defensive team in Florida State." Ouch. This was FSU's first loss of the season.
Coach Hamilton simply called Harvard "hungrier" than the Noles, which doesn't make up for the lack of points from the field. Florida State went 5 for 24 in the first half, Harvard went 3 for 23, and the game finished the first half tied 14-14, which is evidently the lowest in a Division I game since 1986.
Michael Snaer led the way for Florida State with 10 points and gave the Noles their final lead of the game with 9:48 left in the match. From there, Harvard put up 8 unanswered points to keep the game out of reach. FSU did pull within 3 with 2:33 remaining, but Curry hit one from the left corner of the arc to finish off the Noles.
The Seminoles went foul-happy, sending Harvard to the line 24 times, allowing them to score 17 free points. Comparably, FSU hit 4 of their 10 opportunities. Harvard played a clean game, and even outrebound the Seminoles 40-30. Florida State shot 12 for 23 in the second half.
In a consolation game on Saturday, FSU will face No. 4 Connecticut to decide third place in Battle 4 Atlantis. UConn, the defending national champs, lost to UCF yesterday.