Cserny and Peljto filled the star-scorer roles for Harvard, with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Pondexter finished the game with 30 points to her name, while McCullouch followed with 22.
“They just have some unbelievably talented players who hit some great shots,” Moore said.
Most of those shots came from the perimeter, especially during the first half, when the Scarlet Knights struggled to pass into the paint. But Rutgers adjusted to the zone defense that the Crimson had practiced all week and Pondexter’s jumpers highlighted the second frame.
“I think we had to get out to some of the kids that were shooting,” Delaney-Smith said. “You can only pack in your zone so long, and if they’re going to make those shots, you have to go out and play them a little bit tighter.”
Though each team turned the ball over 18 times, the Scarlet Knights capitalized more on the miscues, scoring 20 points off turnovers, while Harvard registered just eight. Taking advantage of mistakes is a Rutgers trademark—the Scarlet Knights were scoring 26.1 percent of their points off turnovers coming into this game.
While the Crimson’s turnover problems are familiar, Harvard’s first half offensive output was dramatically different from its astounding seven-point showing against Rutgers last year. In fact, junior guard Katie Murphy almost scored more points in the first three minutes of the game (six) then last year’s Crimson team had managed in the first twenty minutes.
Murphy had been instrumental in setting a tone for the first minute of the game, assisting Peljto’s opening jumpers, and then scoring back-to-back threes herself.
Murphy’s start was only her third, as sophomore Jess Holsey has filled the two-guard starting role all season. But Holsey dislocated her shoulder just before winter break, leaving a gap in the starting five.
Although the same injury severely limited her play last season, Holsey should be back on the floor in a matter of days.
Harvard’s depth in the backcourt had been substantial enough to take a hit, but its numbers were even thinner with sophomore Laura Robinson sidelined with a nagging back injury.
Even the guards on the floor are spending time in the trainer’s office, as Bell has just recovered from a long layoff due to injuries and Moore is dealing with inflammation in her high ankle.
Moore’s injury may not be “cured” during the season, so doctor’s orders consist of rest. However, against Rutgers, Moore was the only player on either team to play all 40 minutes.
Rutgers was to be the last of Harvard’s ranked opposition for the regular season, but the Scarlet Knights fell off the national polls just last week, after being ranked as high as 15th in the nation. The drop followed a four-game skid on the road, in which Rutgers lost to only one unranked opponent and was even leading No. 2 Tennessee with seven minutes remaining before the Lady Volunteers sealed up the win.
—Staff writer Jessica T. Lee can be reached at lee45@fas.harvard.edu.