Back To The Game
Harvard outrebounded CCSU, 55-41, led by junior forward Heather Harris' 11 ferocious boards. Mazanec was hammered all night long in the paint but hung tough to score 13 points and pull down eight rebounds.
The Crimson never really found its shooting touch, scoring at a 39 percent clip on the night. It was even weaker from three-point range, sinking only 3-of-16. But Harvard played a fundamentally sound game, committing only 15 turnovers, tallying 20-of-26 from the free-throw line and getting great ball movement.
"I think that kind of play between the guards and the forwards is what we need," Harris said.
Harvard had a balanced scoring attack, with five players in double figures. Central Connecticut's Tula Kofitsas was the game's leading scorer with 20 points, but it was "garbage time" by the five-minute mark.
Coach Kathy Delaney Smith put in four freshmen, who continued to pressure the Huskies. Katie Phillips and Catherine Crisera tallied their first collegiate points in the waning seconds of the game.
NOTEBOOK: Delaney Smith is feeling the holiday spirit and has decided to give her team the day off tomorrow. But Harvard will travel to the University of Massachusetts Saturday night, the same night that nine out of 11 upperclassmen on the team were supposed to attend the Kirkland House dance. "We're all pretty bummed about it," Harris said. "It's always disappointing this time of the season."
Crimson, 83-60 at Briggs Cage Central Conn. 30-30--60 HARVARD 42-41--83
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT (60): Charlene Shepard 3-8 4-4 12; Christina Grubb 2-9 1-4 5; Ruthie Smith 3-6 4-6 10; Angie Suffridge 1-6 0-0 2; Andrea Hartman 2-6 1-1 5; Melissa Prindiville 3-11 0-1 6; Tula Kofitsas 9-17 2-3 20; Margaret Van Cott 0-0 0-0 0.
Totals: 23-63 12-19 60
HARVARD (83): Jen Mazanec 4-12 5-6 13; Heidi Kosh 6-7 0-0 13; Debbie Flandermeyer 5-15 1-3 11; Maura Healey 4-8 0-0 9; Beth Wambach 4-14 2-2 10; Dina Hadrick 0-5 0-0 0; Katie Phillips 0-0 3-4 3; Kelly Morrison 0-0 3-4 3; Heather Harris 4-5 0-0 8; Erin Maher 3-8 3-3 10; Cara Frey 0-2 0-0 0; Catherine Crisera 0-1 1-2 1; Kim Seidel 0-1 2-2 2.
Totals: 30-77 20-26 83
Three-pointers: Shepard 2; Kosh, Healey, Maher. Fouled Out: Grubb. Rebounds: Central Connecticut 41 (Kofitsas 9); Harvard 55 (Harris 11). Assists: Central Connecticut 8 (Hartman 4); Harvard 11 (Kosh, Maher 3). Steals: Central Connecticut 8 (Hartman, Van Cott 2); Harvard 8 (8 tied with 1). Blocks: Central Connecticut 4 (Shepard 2); Harvard 3 (Flandermeyer). Total Fouls: Central Connecticut 19; Harvard 12. Turnovers: Central Connecticut 20; Harvard 15.
Attendance: 200.