CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In the opening half of this weekend’s back-to-back Harvard women’s basketball (15-3, 4-2 Ivy) fell short against Columbia (15-4, 6-0 Ivy), dropping just its third contest of the season, 80-71.

Three Crimson reached double digit scoring including a career-night for Saniyah Glenn-Bello as she contributed 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting.  The junior flirted with a double-double as she also pulled down eight rebounds.

How it Happened

The two teams traded buckets in the opening minutes of the contest, but a 12-0 mid-quarter run by the Lions allowed the foe to pull ahead, 16-5, five minutes in.  While Harvard was unable to cut into the lead through the second half of the frame, it also didn’t allow Columbia to pull further ahead, leaving the deficit at single digits after the first 10 minutes. 

Steal and score??

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?? https://t.co/sWNfKrvuLd#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/vEOCxkk2OV

— Harvard Women’s Basketball (@HarvardWBB) February 1, 2025

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair as the Crimson looked to cut into the lead, but the Lions continued to hit on the offensive end.  Ultimately, Lydia Chatira connected for one final bucket to set the score at 40-30 heading into the locker room. 

Columbia connected early out of the break to maintain its momentum in the second half.  The Lions were able to grow their lead out to as many as 16 in the frame and close the third quarter with a 60-46 advantage. 

Never losing its fight, the Crimson continued to pressure deep into the contest.  With Columbia holding a 19-point lead at the 6:49 mark, the Crimson began to cut into the deficit.  Within two minutes, a smothering Harvard defense helped cut the Lions lead to single digits.  A Harmoni Turner triple with 20 seconds remaining put Harvard down just seven but the Lions were ultimately able to hold of the Crimson comeback and leave Lavietes with an 80-71 victory. 

The Crimson is pressuring??

?? https://t.co/LZlW88E2ZB

?? https://t.co/sWNfKruWVF#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/TDEZV6jts8

— Harvard Women’s Basketball (@HarvardWBB) February 1, 2025

Harvard Highlights

• Harmoni Turner surpassed 20 points for the 10^th time this season as she led the team with 21 points and added seven rebounds.

She doesn’t need a lot of space?????

?? https://t.co/LZlW88EAP9

?? https://t.co/sWNfKrvuLd#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/C0cAMipzZJ

— Harvard Women’s Basketball (@HarvardWBB) February 1, 2025

• Saniyah Glenn-Bello provided a spark for the Crimson all over the court, adding a career-high 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting, eight rebounds, two blocks, and three steals. 

AND ONE.

?? https://t.co/LZlW88EAP9

?? https://t.co/sWNfKrvuLd#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/I6BtlWgFFt

— Harvard Women’s Basketball (@HarvardWBB) February 1, 2025

• Elena Rodriguez was the final Crimson to surpass double digit scoring as she contributing 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. 
• Lydia Chatira tied her career-best in scoring as she added eight crucial points on 50% shooting. 

Lydia from distance??

?? https://t.co/LZlW88EAP9

?? https://t.co/sWNfKrvuLd#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/mAl40cWBN5

— Harvard Women’s Basketball (@HarvardWBB) February 1, 2025

• As a team, the Crimson shot 45.8% from the field, connecting for 27 total field goals in the contest.

Love an and one today??

?? https://t.co/LZlW88E2ZB

?? https://t.co/sWNfKruWVF#GoCrimson x #BelieveIt pic.twitter.com/68S5MnJ8ay

— Harvard Women’s Basketball (@HarvardWBB) February 1, 2025

• Despite falling, Harvard won the rebounding battle for the 12^th time this season, grabbing 40 boards to Columbia’s 33. 

Next Up

Harvard turns its sights to the second part of the back-to-back as it welcomes Cornell to Lavietes Pavilion tomorrow night.  The Crimson will face the Big Red at 5:00 p.m. in Cambridge and on ESPN+.