Some games you have to win.

After losing to weak opponents such as Fordam and Hartford, the Harvard women's basketball team was itching to prove that it could get the job done against inferior teams.

Harvard (2-4) proved itself by delivering a 97-75 pounding to the Blue Devils of Central Connecticut State on Wednesday night in New Britain, Ct.

The first half was played fairly evenly, with both teams trading baskets. At the half, Harvard led 41-33.

An eight-point lead wasn't comforting, though.

The Blue Devils aren't exactly the caliber of their namesakes in Durham, North Carolina. They are a small, winless team at 0-6.

"We weren't sure how they'd play," said junior guard Erin Maher. "It was kind of scary letting a team like that have 33 points at the half."

After halftime, however, the Crimson came out strong and went to work on the shorter Blue Devils which played surprisingly weak defense.

"They really didn't play good defense," said junior center Debbie Flandermeyer. "They didn't help out on the weak side, so we just lobbed passes in over whoever was guarding me."

The Crimson got the ball in well to Flandermeyer who exploded for a career high 28 points.

"It was the first time I've ever felt I could just shoot over the opposition. Usually you have to make a good low-post move," Flandermeyer said.

Freshman Tammy Butler also poured in 19 points from down low.

When the two big women were not scoring, the forwards set picks for the guards, who drilled three-pointers at will.

Harvard was 8-16 from beyond the are as freshman guard Nikole Cronk and Maher buried 3 tres each.

"We shot well from outside Wednesday night and moved the ball around better," said Harvard coach Kathy Delaney Smith."