KINGSTON, RI – Harvard women's basketball fell to University of Rhode Island tonight despite late game heroics from the squad. Down by 14 in the final four minutes of the third quarter, the Crimson battled back and took the lead with less than a minute remaining before falling, 56-59, to the Rams.
For the fifth time in 2023-24,
Lola Mullaney led all scorers with 15 points on five-of-nine shooting from the field.
Katie Krupa followed closely behind with 14 points. The duo was heating up from distance as either hit four triples to combine for eight of the team's ten total threes.
Elena Rodriguez posted another all-around performance with 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal.
How it Happened
With no points through nearly four minutes of action,
Saniyah Glenn-Bello broke the scoreless tie by connecting on a corner triple. The first frame remained relatively low scoring as the Crimson trailed 5-11 at the conclusion of ten minutes.
Despite URI connecting first in the second quarter, the Crimson responded instantly as Krupa hit her first of four threes. Mullaney would go on to score the next eight points for Harvard, connecting on a pair of triples and a long two to bring the Crimson within three deep into the second quarter. Following pulling within a possession, URI closed the half with a run of their own to go up by 10 headed into the locker room.
Krupa set the tone for the second half by taking a charge in the opening possession to put the ball back with the Crimson.
Elena Rodriguez had her hands in each of the first four Crimson baskets of the third quarter, assisting on two and connecting for her first points of the game off a finish and a made triple. Mullaney then reached double digits off a three with 3:08 to stop the Rams largest lead at 14. Ultimately, the Crimson went into the final frame down 33-44.
Harvard outscored URI 23-15 and shot 61.5% from the field in the final frame to nearly complete the comeback. The Crimson and the Rams went back and forth throughout the quarter as URI continued to respond to Harvard makes. After pulling their lead back to 13, the Crimson locked down on defense and went on a 16-2 run. Krupa caught fire with 11 of her 14 points coming in the final ten minutes, including the triple that gave the Crimson the lead with less than a minute remaining. Down on URI's end the following possession, the Rams connected on a highly contested triple to take back the lead, which they would hang on to for the remainder of the match up.
Harvard Highlights
- Lola Mullaney led are scorers with 15 points on five-of-nine from the field and a near perfect 4-of-5 from deep. The senior co-captain added three assists and two rebounds.
- Katie Krupa followed close behind with 14 points and an additional four buckets from beyond the arc. Krupa added four assists and three rebounds in the contest.
- Elena Rodriguez rounded out double digit scorers by adding 10 points. The junior once again closed in on a double-double by contributing eight rebounds along with six assists, two blocks, and a steal.
- For the eighth time this season, in either statistical category, Rodriguez led the team in rebounding (8) and assists (6).
- Karlee White posted another strong performance with eight points, five rebounds, and a steal.
- The Crimson connected on double digit threes for the fifth time in 2023-24 as the team hit 10 baskets from distance. Mullaney and Krupa combined for eight of the team's 10 three-pointers.
- Harvard shared the ball consistently tonight by assisting on 15 of their 19 made field goals.
- In the second half Harvard shot 56.5% (13-23) from the field and 54.5% (6-11) from three to aid their 14-point comeback.
- Despite falling tonight, the Crimson continue to hold a 12-10 advantage in the all-time series against the Rams.
Next Up
The Crimson will close out its five-game road trip and non-conference play on Sunday, December 31 as it travels to University of Delaware. New Year's Eve action is set to tip-off at 2:00 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center and on FloHoops.
