GAME NOTES: The Harvard Crimson get back to work following a rather shocking loss, as they play host to the Florida Atlantic Owls in a non-conference matchup at the Lavietes Pavilion on Thursday night.

Tommy Amaker's Crimson began the new season as part of the Top-25. The team opened with a 73-52 rout of MIT, but then fell two days later to Holy Cross (58-57) in the Coaches vs. Cancer Tripleheader at the TD Garden in Boston, prompting the exit from the Top-25 poll on Monday.

Michael Curry's Owls are also sporting a 1-1 record early on. Florida Atlantic opened the 2014-15 campaign on the road and fell to Elon, 64-58. The Owls began their home schedule with a much more favorable result, routing Warner on Monday, 74-49.

This series is all knotted up at 1-1. It was Florida Atlantic with the win last season, a 68-53 victory.

After a slow start, Florida Atlantic took a slim 33-29 lead into halftime against Warner. The second half was a completely different story, as the Owls began the session with a 20-4 run to put the game out of reach. FAU outscored Warner 41-20 in the second half and shot a scorching .542 from the floor over the final 20 minutes of action. Three Owls notched double figures in the victory, led by Justin Raffington's 15 points. Raffington completed a double- double with 11 rebounds. Jackson Trapp and Justin Massey chipped in with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Through two games, the Owls are averaging 66.0 ppg, while allowing just 56.5. The team is shooting a modest .430 from the floor, holding foes to under 40 percent, and enjoying a +8.5 rebounding margin. Trapp leads the way with 14.0 ppg. Raffington has been a beast up front, averaging a double-double with 12.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Marquan Botley rounds out the top offensive threats through two games, with 11.0 ppg.

The Crimson are loaded with talent, especially in the backcourt, where Wesley Saunders and Siyani Chambers reside. Saunders was the 2013-14 Ivy League Player of the Year and a two-time All-Ivy first-team selection. Chambers is also a two-time All-Ivy selection. With a pair of double-doubles to start the season, Saunders is once again on the fast track to postseason honors. The veteran guard is getting it done in just about every phase of the game, averaging 19.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Jonah Travis (89.5 ppg) and Chambers (8.0 ppg) add some scoring depth, with Chambers leading the team in assists (5.5 per game).

Harvard did itself in against Holy Cross earlier in the week, committing an unforgivable 24 turnovers, as Holy Cross' full-court pressure really bothered the Crimson. The loss spoiled a huge game from Saunders, who finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, three assists and three blocks.

The Crimson need to do a better job handling the basketball and there is no doubt that Amaker will get things right in quick fashion. Expect another big game from Saunders, as Harvard gets back into the win column here.