CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - In the second game of the 2022-23 season, the Harvard women's basketball team (2-0) defeated Boston College (1-1) by a score of 68-59 tonight at Lavietes Pavilion.
After setting a career-high points scored last game, sophomore Harmoni Turner built on the momentum of game one to lead the team once again with 25 points, this time making 3-of-5 three point attempts and posting six rebounds, and nine assists, setting a new career high in assists. After setting two career-highs in the first games of the season, Turner said of her growth as a player and support from the team "Coach has instilled confidence in me and believes in me and my teammates are always there for me. I may be making plays and going 25 (points), 6 (rebounds) and nine (assists), but that's not me alone; that's all them."
Head Coach Carrie Moore thought her team "executed the game defensively and had some great plays to earn a great win at home against an ACC team. The team had some players step up off the bench and really close out the game and help us keep that lead we built up in the first half. We sank shots when we needed to and made it happen."
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Turner sunk the first points for the Crimson, putting up a three in the first minute and a two-point field goal in the second. With Harvard shooting three-for-five in three-point field goals and out-rebounding the Eagles 12 to six, they ended the first quarter up 20-10.
The first minute of the second quarter went scoreless for both teams, with the Crimson turning on the defense as Boston College maintained possession of the ball for a majority of the quarter and began to build a comeback, scoring the first six points of the quarter. Junior Lola Mullaney and first-year Saniyah Glenn finished the half with three-point field goals, bringing the Crimson lead to 12 going into halftime.
For the second game in a row, Harvard came out of the locker room with a lead, with McKenzie Forbes hitting a three-point shot right off the bat. The Eagles attempted to mount another comeback, bringing the score within seven before Harvard finished the period making 6 of 8 free throws and five field goals to retain a 51-39 lead.
While the Eagles scored first in the fourth quarter, the Crimson were able to grow their lead throughout the final ten minutes of play thanks to a 75% three-point shooting percentage and three defensive rebounds over Boston College's two. Turner and Glenn-Bello continued to put lead the team in points through the final quarter, proving to be a vital part of the team's 68-59 victory.
Harvard Highlights
- Turner lead the Crimson in points (25), rebounds (6) and assists (9) to help the team come out on top over the Eagles.
- Tonight's victory breaks a two-game losing streak against Boston College and the first victory since a home contest in 2009.
- Tonight's victory makes this season the first since 2019-20 that Crimson have started a season 2-0.
- First-year Saniyah Glenn-Bello shot 3-for-3 in three point field goals, scoring 13 points with the addition of her field goals in her second game representing the Crimson.
- Harvard outscored the Eagles 10-2 in three-point attempts, making 45.5% compared to Boston College's 12.5%.
- Elena Rodriguez shot 100% on the night, making two of two field goals and one of one three-point attempt.
- Harvard defeated an Eagles team that ended the 2021-22 season with a 21-12 record, including a 10-8 ACC record.
- Harvard is now 9-10 all-time against Boston College in program history. The two programs are now tied 4-4 in contests held at Harvard's home court.
Up Next
The Crimson will close out their three-game home stretch next Friday, Nov. 18, when they host UMass in Lavietes Pavilion at 7 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.
