BERKELEY, Calif. – Harvard women's basketball (2-2) dominated Oakland, 93-55, in the first game of the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational in Berkeley, California this evening.
Harvard shot 65.5% (19-of-29) from the field and 78.6% (11-of-14) from three to explode past the Golden Grizzlies in the second half. In the game overall, the Crimson shot over 50% from the field and from distance and received scoring contributions from 11 different players.
Nina Emnace paced the offense with a career-high 17 points (5-8 FG, 4-5 3-PT, 3-4 FT).
Karlee White (16),
Katie Krupa (15), and
Abigail Wright (12) each reached double figures as well in the contest.
How it Happened
Despite shooting its lowest percentage of any quarter in the opening frame, the Crimson capitalized on strong defense and free throw shooting to create a sizeable lead. Harvard held the Golden Grizzlies to just two points in the first five minutes and then held them scoreless for the last three and a half. With a three-point lead with under four minutes remaining the Crimson went on a 10-0 run to lead 22-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The second frame was a nearly even battle as the Crimson outscored the Golden Grizzlies by just one. With the slight advantage, Harvard held a 41-27 advantage heading into the locker room.
Out of the break, Harvard blew open the game almost immediately as
Gabby Anderson connected thirty seconds in and
Katie Krupa followed with three straight buckets in the next minute and a half. Harvard made seven straight threes in the third quarter alone to double its lead. After having not surpassed 70 points in the previous three games, Harvard did so tonight in just 30 minutes and led 70-42 heading into the final frame.
Harvard never took its foot off the pedal, shooting 64.3% in the final 10 minutes. Seven different Crimson players scored in the last quarter including
Ava Krumwiede and
Sam Wills who saw their first collegiate minutes.
Harvard Highlights
- As a team the Crimson shot 50% (29-of-58) from the field and 57.1% (16-of-28) from distance to score its most points in a single game since March 16, 2023.
- Harvard's 16 threes ties for the second-most in a single game in program history. The Crimson has scored 16 triples on four other occasions and has bested the total just one time, hitting 17 threes against Merrimack on November 30, 2022.
- 11 different players scored in the contest including Ava Krumwiede and Sam Wills notching their first career points.
- Four players scored in double figures for the first time since February 24, 2024. Nina Emnace led all scorers with 17 points followed by Karlee White with 16, Katie Krupa with 15, and Abigail Wright with 12.
- Emnace led the Crimson in scoring for the first time in her career as she contributed 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from distance. The sophomore also dished out a team-high four assists.
- White matched her career-best with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting. The California native has scored in double figures in all four games this season after doing so just five times in her first two seasons.
- Katie Krupa found her stride on the offensive end tonight, putting up a season-best 15 points.
- Abigail Wright tallied 12 points and team-highs for both rebounds and assists with six and four, respectively.
- Aubrey Shaw was nearly the fifth Harvard player in double figures as she recorded a career-best nine points off three triples.
- On its 29 made field goals the Crimson recorded 20 assists.
- The Crimson had a season-low 13 turnovers and conversely recorded 11 steals and forced 23 turnovers. Off the Golden Grizzles' miscues, Harvard capitalized for 35 points.
Next Up
Harvard will now face off against Cal in the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational Championship tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. PT/10:00 p.m. ET at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, Calif.
