Women’s Basketball: Unable to withstand Harvard comeback, Terriers drop third straight

By Joe Eachus 

Despite holding a 19-point lead in the second half, Boston University women’s basketball (2-4, 0-0 PL) could not halt the Harvard Crimson’s (2-4, 0-0 Ivy) comeback Saturday, losing 82-79.

Junior forward Maren Durant had a career day, finishing with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The Terriers were impressive to start the game, going on a 12-5 run. The Crimson quickly answered back with a run of their own and led after one quarter.

In the second period, BU stepped on the gas, outscoring the Crimson 19-9 to head into halftime with a nine-point lead.

To begin the third, BU went on a run to extend its advantage to 19 points. However, Harvard hit three quick 3-pointers to bring the lead down to 10, prompting a Terrier timeout.

Following the break, BU’s slim lead shrank even further, and the teams headed into the fourth quarter separated by just six points.

The Terriers watched their lead vanish during the first half of the final period, and Harvard took the lead for the first time since early in the second at the five-minute mark.

After a back-and-forth final five minutes of the game, which featured five lead changes, Forbes nailed a three-pointer with 3.4 seconds remaining on the clock.

BU Head Coach Melissa Graves called a timeout and attempted to draw up a play but to no avail.

The Crimson, who entered the game as losers of two straight, were powered in their comeback by junior guard McKenzie Forbes’ 26 points and freshman guard Harmoni Turner’s 24 points.

The Terriers have now lost three straight games after a triumphant victory over crosstown foe Boston College on Nov. 17, 2021. None of their last four contests have been decided by more than six points.

The Terriers will take a trip to Northeastern to face the Huskies on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.