CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's basketball (5-1, 0-0 Ivy) registered its fifth win of the young season this evening, defeating Northeastern (0-4, 0-0 CAA), 89-37. With a 5-1 record to open the year, the Crimson are out to its best start through six games since the 2016-17 season.
The Crimson saw scoring contributions from 11 different student-athletes and were led by double-digit scoring from
Harmoni Turner (18),
Abigail Wright (15), and
Elena Rodriguez (12). Harvard's defense also shined as it recorded the seventh lowest points allowed in program history and forced 21 Northeastern turnovers.
How it Happened
Harvard quickly pulled past the Huskies, using the first ten minutes to grow a 16-point advantage. The two foes traded the opening buckets of the contest before Harvard went on to outscore Northeastern 22-6 in the final seven minutes. In the first frame, the Crimson shot 55% and locked down the Huskies while notching five steals.
The Crimson defense only intensified into the second quarter as it forced seven Husky turnovers and gave up a game-low of six points. Heading into the locker room, Harvard held a 44-14 advantage as
Elena Rodriguez led with 12 points.
Harvard never let up in the contest, once again holding Northeastern to single digits in the third frame while it eclipsed 20 points. Out of the break, the Crimson shot 50% from the field and recorded four buckets from distance. As it entered the fourth quarter, Harvard sat comfortably in front, 66-23.
While shooting a game-best 64.3% in the final frame, Harvard closed out its 52-point victory over the crosstown rival. The Crimson had multiple career firsts in the fourth quarter as
Hana Belibi and
Nina Emnace each recorded their first collegiate buckets.
Harvard Highlights
- Turner had an all-around performance, adding six rebounds, six assists, four steals, and a block.
- Wright and Rodriguez each reached double figures by shooting 87.5% (7-of-8) and 83.3% (5-of-6), respectively.
- Mary Hollensteiner contributed strong minutes for the Crimson, adding eight points, five rebounds, and two assists.
- 11 different Crimson players scored in the contest as Harvard received more than half of its points from players coming off the bench.
- As a team Harvard shot 56.3% (36-of-64) from the field and 39.1% (9-of-23) from three-point land.
- On its season-high 36 made field goals, Harvard dished out 22 assists, led by six from Turner and a career-high five from Lydia Chatira.
- Harvard won the rebounding battle for the third straight contest, grabbing 41 boards to the Huskies' 28. Turner and Gabby Anderson each recorded six rebounds, while Karlee White and Hollensteiner grabbed five.
- 13 of Harvard's 41 rebounds came on the offensive end to help the Crimson tally 20 second-chance points.
- On the defensive end, Harvard held Northeastern to 28.3% from the field and 5.6% from distance. The Crimson forced 21 Husky turnovers while recording 14 steals.
- Harvard held the Huskies to single digits in three of the four quarters this evening.
- With the win, Harvard evened the all-time series to 17-all.
Next Up
The Crimson will travel to Illinois for a back-to-back weekend against Northwestern and Illinois State on Saturday, November 23, and Sunday, November 24, respectively.
