BOCA RATON, Fla. – Wrapping up 2019 at the Holiday Classic at Florida Atlantic, the Harvard women's basketball team (7-4, 0-0 Ivy League) fell to Saint Joseph's (5-5, 0-0 A-10), 63-39, in the first round today, Dec. 20. The Crimson will face host FAU in the consolation game tomorrow, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.

Junior co-captain Rachel Levy led the Crimson attack for the second time this season and fifth time in double figures with 10 points. Senior Jeannie Boehm provided support with eight points, while Maggie McCarthy and Lola Mullaney each posted six apiece. Senior co-captain Mackenzie Barta paced the defense with six rebounds, while Boehm tallied five.

Saint Joseph's got off to a 9-0 advantage to start the game. Baskets from Boehm and Mullaney put Harvard on the board, before the Hawks extended its lead to 13-5 to close out the opening frame. The Hawks used a 5-0 run to widen its margin to 13 in quarter two. Levy dropped in six points, but Saint Joseph's sharp three-point shooting led the Hawks to a 30-16 lead going into halftime.

A back-and-forth third quarter allowed Harvard to cut its deficit after two buckets from Boehm. The Hawks defense held Harvard at bay, taking a 47-24 lead into the final frame. The Crimson opened the fourth quarter on a 4-0 run to come within 15, but Saint Joseph's offensive pressure proved to be too much as the Hawks sealed the 63-39 victory.

Up Next
The Crimson will match up against host FAU in the consolation game tomorrow, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. on CUSA TV.