In a thrilling overtime battle, the Harvard women's basketball team pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the 25th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers 72-68 at Assembly Hall. The Crimson's victory marked their first top 25 win under head coach Carrie Moore and snapped the Hoosiers' impressive 18-game home winning streak.

A Resilient Crimson Squad Triumphs in a Nail-biter

Crimson Surge to Early Lead

The Crimson wasted no time in asserting their dominance, racing out to a 12-2 lead in the opening minutes of the game. Senior guard Harmoni Turner led the charge, scoring 8 points during this early run. Harvard's stifling defense held the Hoosiers to just 7 shot attempts in the first quarter, forcing 11 turnovers and allowing them to cruise to a 21-7 advantage.

Hoosiers Claw Their Way Back

Indiana refused to go down without a fight, using a strong second quarter to pull within a possession of the Crimson by halftime. The Hoosiers shot 41.2% from the field in the frame, outscoring Harvard by double digits to make it a 32-30 game at the break.

Lead Changes Galore in the Second Half

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with the lead changing hands on seven different occasions. Indiana briefly took the lead to open the third quarter, but Harvard responded with an 11-0 run, including three consecutive three-pointers. The Hoosiers eventually regained the advantage, but the Crimson refused to go away, tying the game in the final seconds of regulation on a clutch three-pointer from first-year Alayna Rocco.

Crimson Seal the Deal in Overtime

In the extra period, the Crimson seized control, with Harmoni Turner scoring the first four points to put Harvard up 67-63. The Crimson never relinquished the lead, as Mona Zaric, a transfer from Indiana, contributed four crucial points, including the game-sealing free throws with just two seconds remaining.

Standout Performances and Historic Significance

Harmoni Turner led all scorers with 24 points, adding 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and a season-high 6 steals. Elena Rodriguez chipped in 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Alayna Rocco hit the game-tying three-pointer and finished with a career-high 9 points.The victory over a ranked opponent marks the first of the Carrie Moore era and just the second for the Crimson in the last 25 years. It also snapped Indiana's 18-game home winning streak, which was the ninth-longest in the country.