Harvard Defeats NJIT, 69-53, Improves to 9-4

Miriam Rutzen grabbed a season-high six rebounds (photo courtesy of Gil Talbot).

Game video:
Head coach Kathy Delaney-Smith talks about the atmosphere of the game

NEWARK, N.J. – The Harvard women’s basketball team improved to 9-4 on the season as the Crimson defeated the New Jersey Institute of Technology, 69-53, Tuesday afternoon at the Fleisher Athletic Center. Harvard, who has won three in a row,  has now won six of its last seven contests.

Sophomore Brogan Berry led three Crimson players in double figures with 15 points, while junior Emma Markley and freshman Victoria Lippert added 13 each. With the loss, the Highlanders fall to 5-10.

The Crimson jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and never looked back, shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, including 50 percent from beyond the arc in the contest.

Harvard went on a 17-0 run in the middle of the first half to bring the lead to 28-7. In the closing 10 minutes of the half, the Highlanders outscored the Crimson 10-4, cutting Harvard’s lead to 15, with a score of 32-17. The Highlanders’ 17 points in the first half were the fewest allowed by the Crimson this season.

In the second half, Harvard and NJIT traded baskets, but the Crimson defense didn’t let the Highlanders get closer than 13.

The Crimson outrebounded the Highlanders, 35-27. Markley and freshman Miriam Rutzan pulled down six rebounds each, and Lippert and Jackie Alemany each had five boards.

Harvard opens Ivy League play Saturday at Dartmouth. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m.