Delaney-Smith ended the game by granting playing time to freshman Katie Murphy and senior Sharon Nunamaker. It was Murphy’s first varsity experience, and she is currently tied for the national lead in field goal percentage, connecting on her only shot for her first two points in a Harvard uniform.

“Katie Murphy did a nice job, and I find it very difficult to play all of our players,” Delaney-Smith said. “That’s the number one challenge for me right now, to keep everyone on the team confident in their abilities by spreading the playing time.”

If the Crimson continues to hold opponents to 29 percent shooting while getting 43 points from the Peljto-Cserny combination, Delaney-Smith will have the opportunity to play everyone and rack up the victories at the same time.

Syracuse 78, Harvard 66

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—While the snow fell outside Manley Field House in Syracuse on Dec. 20, the Crimson shooters had a hard time getting anything to fall when it counted.

Harvard was up 44-40 with 14:52 left but could not widen that lead over the Orangewomen. Syracuse (6-3) fought back and capitalized on Harvard miscues to eventually pull out the victory, 78-66.

Harvard was led once again by Peljto, who finished the game with 23 points and 11 rebounds, for her third double-double this year. She led the Crimson in scoring for the eighth time in ten games. Cserny, her partner in points, added 12 of her own and pulled in eight boards.

“They are a very-well coached team,” said Syracuse Coach Marianna Freeman. “Their post players [Peljto and Cserny] are very good. We were very impressed.”

The Orangewomen were led by a balanced scoring attack, as six players scored more than eight points. Leading the way for Syracuse was Jazmine Wright who had 18 points and 5 boards while Chineze Ngwabo put up a double-double, 16 points and 11 boards.

Coming out of the locker rooms after the intermission, the Crimson went on a hot streak, drawing the Orangewomen to within striking distance. Harvard went on a 13-5 run to take a 44-40 lead with 14:52 to play in the contest.

The game would stay very close with many lead changes down the stretch. Peljto made a layup with 11:05 to play, giving the Crimson a 48-46 lead. But after a free throw by Syracuse’s Shannon Perry and a three-pointer by Wright, Syracuse went back up, 50-48, and Harvard would never lead again.

The Crimson was able to tie the game 52-52 with 7:40 left to play after junior center Sarah Johnson recorded a steal and dished to Peljto for a jumper. Syracuse then took advantage of turnovers by Dunham and Johnson to take a 56-52 lead with 6:04 left.

Harvard was outrebounded on the offensive end, 14-13, but Syracuse was able to pull down the most important boards, getting more than its fair share of second-chance opportunities.

“They had too many offensive rebounds,” said Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith. “I didn’t feel we boxed out as well as we could have.”

Harvard’s game seemed to unravel around the two-minute mark. On the inbound pass, the ball flew over a jumping Peljto’s head and into the Syracuse side of the court. Julie McBride, the Big East’s leading scorer, grabbed the ball and laid it in for a 66-58 Syracuse lead with 1:53 to go.