BOSTON – Freshman Ryan Williams went for 21 points to lead four players in double figures as the Northeastern men's basketball team (2-1) bolted out to a large first half lead and never looked back in a 78-56 win over Harvard (1-3) on Wednesday night at Matthews Arena. 
 
The win is Northeastern's first over the Crimson since 2019, and the largest win over Harvard in program history (22 points). 
 
Williams finished the night 8-of-12 overall, 5-of-7 from three and added three assists for a Huskies squad that never trailed in the game and shot better than 50% for the third straight game (31-of-59).
 
Williams was joined in double figures by Alexander Nwagha (14 points on 6-of-7 shooting), Harold Woods (12 points, nine rebounds) and Rashad King (10 points, seven rebounds, four assists) as four of nine Huskies to record a point in the contest.
 
Chandler Pigge had 17 points for the Crimson, who shot 19-of-59 overall and 4-of-31 from three.
 
Northeastern held Harvard to a 6-of-29 showing from the field (0-of-15 from deep) in the first half, and used runs of 14-2 to start the game and 11-1 later to see the lead balloon to as many as 20 before taking a 39-21 lead at the break.
 
Williams was the story for the Huskies, going for 13 points on 5-of-7 overall (3-of-3 from three) off the bench to lead all scorers. He was one of seven Huskies on the scoresheet in a half that saw Northeastern shoot 47% as a team and 43% from long range, hitting five of its final eight shots heading into recess. King, meanwhile, added four points, five rebounds and four of the Huskies' 11 first half assists on 15 made baskets.
 
Northeastern remained in control throughout the second half despite some shots starting to fall for the Crimson, but never let the lead go below 13 points. 
 
Williams continued to set the tone for the hosts, adding another eight points in the second half to preserve Northeastern's commanding lead, while Nwagha added nine of his 14 points, allowing the Huskies to empty the bench late in regulation, highlighted by the collegiate debut for walk-on Nate Francois.
 
The Huskies will be back in action on Saturday night when Northeastern travels to Moncton, New Brunswick for the Atlantic Slam against Central Connecticut State. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. (ET) on ESPN+ and TSN+.