COLLEGE PARK, MD – Harvard women's basketball kicked off their 2023-24 season tonight in College Park, Maryland, facing off against No. 14 Maryland.  Continuing to fight throughout the entire contest, the Crimson ultimately fell to the Terrapins, 75-98.

How it Happened

First-year Karlee White recorded the first points for the Crimson, simultaneously notching her first career collegiate basket.  The first period ended at 31-11 in favor of Maryland with five different players scoring for the Crimson. 
 
Katie Krupa opened the second quarter for Harvard with a bucket followed by Harmoni Turner dropping the next eight points with back-to-back threes and a finish at the rim.  Harvard fought back by grabbing six offensive boards in the quarter and shooting 40.9% from the field.  Even with a last second shot by Turner being called back, Harvard won the quarter 23-21. 
 
At half, Turner reached double digits, recording ten points followed by Lola Mullaney and Krupa each contributing eight.  Mullaney built on her game total by hitting a pair of three's in the early moments of the second half to cut into the Maryland lead.  Following a near even third quarter, the score stood at 52-73 heading into the final frame. 
 
First-year Mary Hollensteiner entered the game in the final quarter and quickly launched a pair of threes within 42 seconds for her first collegiate baskets.  Along with Hollensteiner's back-to-back baskets and multiple finishes from Mullaney, Rodriguez, and Turner, the Crimson pulled within 15 with six minutes remaining.  Despite a strong defensive push and 10 offensive rebounds in the final frame, the Terrapins were able to hold off the Crimson to win, 75-98. 

Harvard Highlights

• Turner led the Crimson in points (18), rebounds (7), and assists (6).  The junior also recorded three steals against the Terrapins. 
• Abigail Wright and Krupa joined Turner in leading the Crimson in rebounds, each grabbing seven. 
• Mullaney nearly matched Turner's game high by contributing 17 points with four baskets coming from three.  The senior also pulled down three boards, all on the offensive end. 
• Wright and Rodriguez both hit double-digits with 12 and 10 points respectively.  Rodriguez was the top of the Ivy League in field goal percentage last season and picked up right where she left off, shooting 71.4% from the field in tonight's contest.
• In addition to her 10 point performance, Rodriguez recorded a team high four steals.  
• Each Crimson first-year scored their first collegiate bucket in the contest including Maryland native, Hollensteiner making back-to-back threes in her first shots. 
• The Crimson pulled down 25 offensive rebounds in the game with six of those coming from first-year Wright. 

Next Up

Harvard will return to the Boston area to take on Boston College Thursday, November 9.  Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. in Chestnut Hill, Mass. and on ACC Network.