CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's basketball (11-1, 0-0 Ivy) recorded its eighth straight victory this afternoon by dropping crosstown foe, Boston University (5-5, 0-0 Patriot) in dominant fashion, 86-26.
How it Happened
The Terriers came out on top to start the contest, pulling ahead 6-2 following a string of turnovers from either team.
Harmoni Turner would eventually put the Crimson ahead at 11-10 and the team would go on to never again relinquish its lead. The first quarter ended with four straight Harvard points as
Karlee White knocked down a jumper and Turner quickly stole the ball back to capitalize one more time before the buzzer.
Following a 20-15 first frame, the remainder of the game was dominated by the Crimson as it gave up just 11 total points in the final 30 minutes. Harvard used the second frame to pull away from the Terriers beginning with seven straight points from first-year
Alayna Rocco. The Crimson would go on to outscore BU 21-2 in the second frame and head into the locker room with a 41-17 advantage.
The final two quarters were more of the same as the Crimson dominated on the defensive end while also receiving contributions on the offensive end from nearly every player. Harvard scored over 20 points in each frame while in turn holding the Terriers to no more than five points. Ultimately, the Crimson heads into the holiday break with a 60-point defeat of the crosstown foe, marking its least points given up since 2013.
Harvard Highlights
- With the victory, the Crimson improve to 11-1 on the season and registers its eighth straight win.
- By dropping the crosstown foe, Harvard is now 4-0 against Massachusetts teams during the 2024-25 season.
- The Terriers 26 points marks the least points allowed by a Harvard team since a victory over Columbia on March 12, 2013.
- 11 different Crimson players scored in the contest, including eight registering five or more points.
- Harmoni Turner led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Additionally, the senior adding five boards, three assists, and six steals.
- Elena Rodriguez posted double figures for the sixth straight game by adding 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Rodriguez also contributed two rebounds, an assist, a block, and a career-high seven steals.
- Lydia Chatira had an all-around performance, recording a career-high eight points, collecting six rebounds, and registering a trio of steals.
- Karlee White had a season-high eight points on 4-of-8 shooting along with four rebounds, a pair of assists, and a steal to contribute significant minutes in the contest.
- First-year Alayna Rocco made her first career start and added seven points that all came in a monster second quarter for Harvard.
- Harvard recorded a season-high 24 steals while forcing 39 Terrier turnovers. The Crimson capitalized for 42 points off of BU's miscues.
- After giving up 15 points in the opening frame, Harvard allowed just 11 points throughout the remainder of the contest, highlighted by a 21-2 second quarter to break away from its opponent.
- Harvard grows its lead in the all-time series over the Terriers to 23-16 and has now won eight of the last nine meetings.
Next Up
Harvard will return to action on December 30 as it closes its non-conference slate against Delaware. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Lavietes Pavilion and on ESPN+.
