ORONO, ME – Harvard women's basketball (4-1, 0-0 Ivy) concluded its second week of action this afternoon with a dominant, 83-41, victory over Maine (2-2, 0-0 America East).
The Crimson ran away with the game early, using a 21-0 run in the opening quarter to help cruise past the Black Bears. Just a game removed from her record-breaking outing,
Harmoni Turner delivered another stellar performance, leading the way with 38 points on 12-of-24 shooting from the field, three rebounds, a pair of assists, and six steals.
How it Happened
The Black Bears struck first, opening the contest with seven of the first nine points. As the Crimson settled in on either end of the court, it exploded for a 21-0 run across five minutes. The run was fueled by scoring from four different Harvard players and a lockdown full court press that helped force five Black Bear turnovers. The Crimson sat comfortably in front, 25-10, at the end of 10 minutes.
Harvard kept its foot on the gas to grow its lead in the second frame, allowing its foes to connect for only seven points. While holding Maine to 2-of-8 shooting, Harvard erupted, shooting 73.3% in the second frame. Harvard continued to smother the Black Bears, forcing seven turnovers to grow its largest lead of the half to 52-17.
Despite Maine recording its highest scoring quarter of the game out of the halftime break, Harvard was able to maintain its dominant lead through the third. Countering the Black Bears' 19-point quarter with 18 of its own, the Crimson were firmly in control with just 10 minutes to play.
Harvard gave up just five points and allowed one made field goal in the final frame to leave no doubt and solidify its fourth win of the young season with an 83-51 final score.
Harvard Highlights
- Harmoni Turner led the way for the Crimson by nearly matching her program record for single-game scoring, recording 38 points on 50% (12-of-24) shooting from the field. In the last two contest Turner has recorded a total of 79 points while shooting 55.3. The seniors 41- and 38-point performances mark the first and second most point totals for any Division I player this season.
- Turner also added three rebounds, two assists, and a team-high six steals. Gabby Anderson matched Turner's steal total as the pair combined for 12 of the team's 17.
- Abigail Wright recorded a season-high nine points while going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. The sophomore also pulled down three rebounds in the contest.
- Nine members of the Crimson scored against the Black Bears as Harvard posted its highest scoring output of the young season.
- While co-leading the team with six steals, Anderson also pulled down a team-best five boards and added four points.
- Elena Rodriguez and Lydia Chatira led the team in assists, each dishing out four.
- As a team, the Crimson had its best shooting performance of the season, going 29-of-55 from the field including knocking down seven triples.
- The Crimson committed a season-low seven turnovers while forcing 26 from the Black Bear. Harvard converted for 34 points off of Maine turnovers.
- Harvard, who came into the contest ranked 42nd in the country in steals per game, tallied 17 takeaways.
- For the second straight game, the Crimson won the rebounding battle, grabbing 28 boards to the Black Bears' 26.
- With the win, Harvard reduced the all-time series deficit, now trailing by two across 20 total meetings.
Next Up
Harvard will return home to Cambridge to welcome another crosstown foe in the Northeastern Huskies. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET inside Lavietes Pavilion and on NESN.
