Towns scores 16, Harvard tops Dartmouth 61-51 in Ivy opener

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Seth Towns scored 16 points with three 3-pointers, leading four into double figures as Harvard used the long ball to hold off Dartmouth 61-51 in an Ivy League opener for both teams on Saturday.

Justin Bassey, Seth Towns and Rio Haskett hit 3-pointers on three of four early possessions as Harvard, which has defeated Dartmouth in the last 11 Ivy League openers, broke contact and led by 10 at halftime.

Miles Wright hit a pair from deep during a 15-0 run that tied the game 37-37 seven minutes into the second half, and he later gave Dartmouth a 45-42 lead.

Harvard's Corey Johnson, Bassey and Christian Juzang answered with four consecutive 3-pointers for a 54-45 Crimson lead with 1:35 to go. Harvard closed it out going 5 of 6 from the line.

Half of Harvard's 50 shots were taken from long range, making 12 of 25. Juzang scored 12 points with two 3-pointers. Bassey and Johnson each made three 3s, finishing with 11 points apiece.

Harvard, the preseason Ivy favorite, has won five of the last seven league championships.

Wright led Big Green with 23 points, his seventh 20-point game. Dartmouth's 19 points on 7-for-20 shooting was its lowest-scoring half this season.