PRINCETON, N.J. – Harvard women's basketball (9-8, 2-2 Ivy) came up just short against No. 20 Princeton (16-1, 4-0 Ivy) in New Jersey this afternoon, falling in overtime, 82-79.
Karlee White led the four Harvard double-digit scorers with her career-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. The junior also recorded her first career double-double, grabbing a team-best 10 boards.
Saniyah Glenn-Bello (16),
Abigail Wright (12), and
Olivia Jones (11) each surpassed double-digit points as the Crimson had four in double figures for the sixth time this season.
How it Happened
A smothering Harvard defense fueled the Crimson right out of the gate as it held Princeton to its second-lowest scoring output in a quarter of the season. For Harvard, White got going with an early five points to help the Crimson lead 11-9 after one.
The Tigers began to find their offensive rhythm in the second quarter, shooting 50% from the field, but the Crimson consistently responded. Harvard maintained a lead deep into the frame with scoring contributions from four different players. The Tigers took its first lead since the early minutes at the 1:04 mark but a free throw from Jones with under 30 seconds remaining had the game deadlocked at 25 heading into the locker room.
Jones and White continued to pace the offensive directly out of the break as back-to-back buckets from the pair had Harvard back in front by five. The third quarter scoring total nearly matched the total of the first half as the teams traded buckets back-and-forth. Both teams shot over 50% from the field in the frame but Princeton had the slight edge and took a one-point lead ahead of the final quarter of regulation.
The Tigers threw the first punch in the fourth quarter as an 8-2 run gave them their largest lead of the afternoon at seven. Remaining poised, however, Harvard chipped into the lead with its own 8-0 run. After Glenn-Bello gave Harvard its first lead of the quarter at 59-58, the Tigers recorded two straight buckets to lead by three with just over a minute remaining. The senior duo of Glenn-Bello and
Katie Krupa then showed their experience by knocking down two clutch threes with under 45 seconds remaining. The Tigers had more late-quarter heroics, however, as Ashley Chea knocked down the game-tying triple as time expired to force overtime.
Princeton capitalized first in the extra frame and would never relinquish the lead. Harvard battled to the final whistle, but the No. 20 Tigers ultimately pulled out the win, 82-79.
Harvard Highlights
- Karlee White had a career night, recording her first double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. The junior shot 66.7% (10-of-15) from the field, 50% (3-of-6) from distance, and went 4-for-4 from the line. White finished out her stat line with two assists, two steals, and a block.
- Saniyah Glenn-Bello scored in double figures for the 12th time in the last 13 games with 16 points this afternoon.
- Abigail Wright added seven boards and four assists to her 12 points against the Tigers.
- Olivia Jones matched her career-best for scoring with 11 points.
- Harvard's defense forced 17 Tigers' turnovers, marking Princeton's second-highest turnover total of the season.
- As a team, the Crimson shot 45.0% from deep, going 9-for-20. Included in the nine made threes was a clutch triple from Katie Krupa with five seconds remaining.
Next Up
The Crimson will remain on the road next weekend as it travels deep into New York to take on Cornell on Saturday, January 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
