CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard women's basketball (15-2, 4-1 Ivy) closed the first month of Ivy League play with a dominant 91-35 victory over Yale (2-16, 1-4 Ivy).
The Crimson posted its highest scoring output of the season as it shot 58.3% from the field and 57.1% from distance and received contributions 11 different players.
How it Happened
Harvard came out of the gate hot, rattling off the first seven points of the contest. Contributions from all down the lineup started early as six different Harvard players scored through the first seven buckets. The Crimson created a 15-point advantage in the first ten minutes and capped off the opening quarter with consecutive buckets from first-year's
Lydia Chatira and Alanya Rocco in the final seven seconds.
The Crimson only improved in the second frame, tallying 30 points while shooting 73.3% from the field. Headed into the locker room, Harvard had already surpassed 50 points while holding Yale to just 21.
Harvard didn't allow the Bulldogs to gain any footing coming out of the break, only giving up two field goals in the quarter and 10 total points. The Crimson shot over 60% for the third consecutive frame to hold a 40+ advantage heading into the final ten minutes.
The final frame proved to be the lowest scoring output of the contest for the Crimson, but its continued defensive efforts held the Bulldogs to just four points. Ultimately, Harvard solidified its largest victory of the Ivy season as it bested the foe by 56 points.
Harvard Highlights
- With the win, Harvard improves to 15-2 on the year and 4-1 in conference play. It marks just the third time in program history that a Harvard team has won 15 games through its first 17 contests. The Crimson grows its home win streak to nine as it has not lost inside Lavietes since February 18, 2024, and holds a 7-0 record throughout this season.
- Additionally, the Crimson has now started conference play 4-1 in two consecutive seasons.
- The Crimson have now swept the Bulldogs two years in a row after previously not having swept the foe since the 2015-16 season.
- Three Crimson reached double figures led by 25 points from senior guard, Harmoni Turner, and followed by Saniyah Glenn-Bello and Elena Rodriguez with 10 and 11 points, respectively.
- With her 25-point performance Turner has now contributed double digit points in eight straight contests and surpassed 20 points nine times this season. The senior shot a near season-best 62.5% (10-of-16) from the field including going 3-for-5 from deep. Additionally, Turner added five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
- For the second straight game, Glenn-Bello reached double figures while shooting over 60%. Today the junior added 11 points on 3-of-5 from the field.
- Anderson also cleaned up on the glass for the Crimson, leading the team with seven rebounds. Five of Anderson's boards came on the offensive end.
- Harvard won the rebounding battle with 36 boards to Yale's 25. The Crimson is a perfect 11-0 when outrebounding its opponents this season.
- On the defensive end, Harvard collected 12 steals and forced Yale into 21 turnovers. The Crimson have recorded double digit steals on 11 different occasions this year. Additionally, in today's contest Harvard capitalized for 34 points off Yale miscues.
- While overwhelming the Bulldogs, Harvard inversely took care of the ball on offense, tying a season-low with seven turnovers.
Next Up
Harvard will look to hand Columbia its first loss of the Ivy League season next as it welcomes the Lions to Cambridge on Friday, January 31. The match up will be nationally televised on ESPNU with a tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. inside Lavietes Pavilion.
