PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Harvard Women's Basketball team (14-8, 7-3 Ivy) fell to Penn (15-8, 7-3 Ivy) in a Saturday afternoon Ivy battle.  The Crimson pushed back on Penn's double-digit lead late in the fourth but ultimately dropped the contest 64-70.

After the Quakers began the game dropping the first two baskets, Harvard responded scoring the next nine, beginning with a three from McKenzie Forbes.  The rest of the quarter Harvard and Penn consistently traded buckets.  Harmoni Turner hit a tough runner with time running down to increase Harvard's lead as the quarter came to a close.  The Crimson closed the frame with a 18-15 lead, led by eight points from Forbes. 

To begin the second quarter, Penn tied the contest at 18 and pulled further ahead throughout the frame.  Going into the locker room, the Quakers led the Crimson 34-25.

Coming out of locker room, the Crimson began to pick up in a full court press and hit big-time buckets.  Lola Mullaney added ten points in the third quarter alone on four of five shooting.  The quarter was nearly equal in points as Penn continued to respond with baskets of their own.  Penn held the lead as the quarter came to a close, entering the final quarter up, 54-43.

The Crimson continued to fight until the final whistle, constantly making the Quakers work the full length of the court.  With 70 seconds left in the contest, Mullaney drew an and one.  With Mullaney's free throw and a pair from Turner shortly after, the Crimson brought the Quakers lead down to single digits.  A floater from Turner would bring the Crimson within five with 50 seconds remaining.  In a quarter where the Quakers led by 17 with a little more than four minutes remaining, the Crimson were able to cut the lead to five, though ultimately falling to Penn by six.

Harvard Highlights

·      Lola Mullaney led the Crimson in scoring, registering 18 points, including 10 in the third quarter.  This is the fifth time this year Mullaney has led in scoring. 

·      Elena Rodriguez (17) and Harmoni Turner (14) added doubles digit points for the Crimson.

·      Rodriguez once again registered a double-double, adding 11 rebounds to her 17 points.  In addition, Rodriguez led the Crimson in assists, dishing out five. 

·      The Crimson out-rebounded the Quakers in the contest, pulling down 36 rebounds to Penn's 29. 

·      In a little more than three minutes, the Crimson were able to cut a 17-point deficit to five, to make it a two-possession game with less than a minute remaining. 

·      Following the game, Harvard still holds the lead in the all-time series.  The Crimson continue to hold a 20-game lead over the Quakers, as the all-time record now stands at 56-36.   

Next Up

The Crimson will return home next weekend for a pair of Ivy contests against Columbia on Friday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. and Cornell on Saturday, February 18 at 5:00 p.m.