TEMPE, Ariz. – Opening day one of the ASU Classic today, the Harvard women's basketball team (3-5, 0-0 Ivy League) was narrowly edged by Colorado State (6-1, 0-0 Mountain West), 59-52.
 
First-year Harmoni Turner led the Crimson with 13 points, followed by junior McKenzie Forbes with 12. Junior Annie Stritzel and sophomore Lola Mullaney nearly reached double-digit points with nine and eight, respectively. Junior Maggie McCarthy led Harvard's defensive efforts with 13 rebounds, while Turner recorded eight and Forbes and senior Tess Sussman each tallied seven.
 
The Crimson and Rams traded baskets to begin the game in a 6-6 tie midway through the opening quarter, before CSU used a 5-1 run to pull ahead, 11-6. Free throws from Forbes and Sussman, along with a basket from Stritzel, allowed Harvard to cut its deficit to one at 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Rams started quarter two on a 4-2 run to maintain its advantage at 23-18. The Crimson's offense came alive halfway through the frame, sinking five-straight baskets to take the lead at 28-25. Forbes and McCarthy each posted two buckets to help the Crimson stay ahead at halftime.
 
Harvard's offensive surge continued at the beginning of quarter three, as Turner knocked down the team's first three-pointer of the game to extend its lead to 35-27. Mullaney pushed the Crimson's advantage to 10 points with a layup, before a 3-1 run from CSU cut its deficit to four at 39-35. Stritzel added two baskets, including a triple, in the second half of quarter to keep Harvard' lead, while CSU continued to inch closer and close the gap to 46-43 heading into the final frame.
 
CSU rallied back in the fourth quarter, using a 6-1 run to regain the lead at 54-48. Turner sank two from the line to bring the Crimson within four with two minutes remaining. However, Harvard's comeback fell just short as the Rams knocked down a triple in the closing 30 seconds to seal its win at 59-52.
 
Harvard Highlights
- Harvard outrebounded Colorado State, 54-37.
- Maggie McCarthy recorded a team-best three steals.
- The Crimson tallied seven steals compared to the Rams' four. 

Up Next
The Crimson will return to the court for day two of the ASU Classic to take on host Arizona State tomorrow, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. EST. The contest will be broadcast on the PAC-12 Network.