SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Harvard women's basketball closed out their Thanksgiving trip out west 2-0 after defeating SMU 80-67 this afternoon. Katie Krupa notched a career-high 23 points, breaking her previous best of 14 just 16 minutes into the contest while Harmoni Turner led all scorers with a 25-point performance. 

How it Happened

Turner picked up right where she left off by recording the first four points of the contest.  The Crimson caught fire from three early by registering four of their nine total triples in the first quarter with a pair from Lola Mullaney and one each from Turner and Krupa.  Following Mullaney's triple with 30 seconds remaining the Crimson ended the first quarter up seven. 
 
The Crimson remained hot into the second quarter as they shot 75% from the field to continue to grow their lead into halftime.  Continuing to connect from all around the court, Krupa surpassed her career best in points less than six minutes into the frame when she drained a triple off a kick out from Elena Rodriguez.  All three of the Crimson double-digit scorers on the day surpassed the mark before halftime and Harvard sat comfortably ahead of the Mustangs 48-30 headed into the locker room. 
 
SMU came out of the locker room pressuring but the string of a Mullaney layup, Turner jumper, and yet another Krupa three pushed the Crimson back up 19 midway through the quarter.  A Mustangs run followed but the Crimson still held an 11-point advantage moving into the final ten minutes of competition. 
 
With the help of 12 made free throws down the stretch of the final quarter, Harvard was victorious for the second time on their San Diego trip.  The Crimson now improve to 5-2, its best start through seven games since 2019-20. 

Harvard Highlights

• Turner, Krupa, and Mullaney all reached double digits on the day, recording 65 of the Crimson total points. 
• By recording a team-high 25 points, Turner has now reached double digits in each of the Crimson seven games and has led in scoring in all but one.  The Crimson junior also recorded six rebounds and a team-high seven assists.
• Krupa had a standout day recording a career-high 23 points on six-of-nine shooting, including four triples. 
• Mullaney had a strong day with 17 points and a team leading two steals.  Saniyah Glenn-Bello joined Mullaney with a pair of takeaways. 
• Rodriguez added seven points while leading the team in rebounds with nine total boards.  The junior also added five assists, a block, and a steal to close out a strong two game stretch.  Rodriguez, who lead the Ivy League in field goal percentage last season, continues to hold the title as she has shot 60.4% from the field so far this season. 
• The Crimson posted their strongest quarter of the year by shooting 75% from the field and 60% from three in the second frame today.
• Harvard and SMU met for just second time in series history this weekend and the Crimson were successfully in tying up yet another series as each team now sits with a win. 

Next Up

The Crimson will return home for its second and final home nonconference matchup.  In their only contest in the upcoming week, Harvard welcomes University of Michigan to Cambridge on Saturday, December 2.  Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. ET in Lavietes Pavilion and on ESPN+.