SHANGHAI -- Reid Travis scored 24 points and grabbed 17 rebounds - both career highs - to lead Stanford to an 80-70 win over Harvard in both teams' season-opening game in China on Saturday afternoon.
Travis, the Cardinal's top returning scorer and rebounder, returned to the lineup for the first time since missing the final 22 games of last season with a stress reaction in his left leg.
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Harvard closed the gap to 67-61 with 4:00 remaining after Bryce Aiken hit a 3-pointer and Siyani Chambers followed with a layup, but Stanford made several stops down the stretch and hit key free throws to put the game away.
Aiken led Harvard with 21 points and Chambers added 12, but the Crimson connected on only 37 percent of their shots and were just 4 of 17 from 3-point range.
Chinese basketball star Yao Ming watched the game courtside, along with NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton and former NBA player Jimmer Fredette, who signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association this season.
BIG PICTURE:
Stanford: Playing its first game under new coach Jerod Haase, the Cardinal showed its experience against Harvard, with senior Verhoeven providing a spark off the bench and Travis helping give Stanford a 42-37 advantage on the boards.
Harvard: Following a disappointing 14-16 record last season, the Crimson's highly touted recruiting class is off to a promising start this year, with freshmen Aiken leading all Harvard scorers and Chris Lewis adding 10 points and two blocks in the first half.