Harvard Women’s Basketball Thrashes Dartmouth: A Stunning 17-3 Season Celebration!

Harvard women’s basketball team capped off a strong home stand with a convincing 66-31 win over Dartmouth. The Crimson, now 17-3 overall and 6-2 in the Ivy League, showcased impressive teamwork and skill. Senior Harmoni Turner led the scoring with 21 points, while Elena Rodriguez added 10 and Saniyah Glenn-Bello chipped in 11.

Coach Carrie Moore was pleased with the team’s performance. “Just a really good response,” she said. “We focused on how we act and interact with one another, and it showed. We were connected on both ends of the court.”

Harvard started the game strong with a quick 16-0 lead, energized by their aggressive full-court press. Although Dartmouth managed to score after a timeout, the Crimson maintained an 18-5 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter began with a three-pointer from first-year Lydia Chatira, which restored Harvard’s 16-point lead. The Crimson then went on a 10-2 run, forcing another Dartmouth timeout. After the timeout, Harvard capitalized on two quick turnovers, with Turner adding a couple of baskets to grow her total to 15 points. The halftime score was 39-14 in favor of Harvard.

At halftime, Coach Moore noted the team’s nine turnovers were too high for comfort. “We were forcing some passes that we shouldn’t have,” she explained. “Our defense really helped us get through that.”

In the second half, Harvard’s defense shone, allowing only five points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter. Turner added to her scoring with a smooth jumper, pushing the lead to 30 points.

The fourth quarter started with a quick layup by Rodriguez, and Harvard’s defense forced a ten-second violation against Dartmouth. As the clock wound down, scoring surged from both teams, but the Crimson’s defense remained strong, forcing Dartmouth into difficult shots. The game concluded with Harvard sealing the victory at 66-31.

Next, Harvard heads to New York for two important matchups. They’ll face Cornell on Valentine’s Day and then go up against Columbia, who is currently undefeated in the Ivy League. These games are crucial, especially as Harvard aims to improve its standing in the conference.