“I think pretty consistently since we started our downward spiral our defense is the first thing that went,” Delaney-Smith said. “We picked up full [court defense] to sort of reemphasize that it’s all about defense. We’re not really trying to steal the ball or do anything in the backcourt. We’re just trying to emphasize defense.”

And Peljto wasn’t about to let the Lafayette off that easily.

With junior center Reka Cserny sent to the sidelines after injuring her sternum while attempting to draw a charging foul, Peljto shouldered the lion’s share of the load, particularly in the low post.

In addition to snagging 13 rebounds—eight on the offensive glass—Peljto provided a solid presence in the paint by allowing her defenders to achieve position in front before receiving lob passes over the top for an easy deuce. The strategy contributed to Peljto’s 11-point run over the course of a 5:43 stretch during the middle of the second period.

The buckets were particularly timely, with each matching a Leopard basket and thereby thwarting a potential comeback from the underdogs.

But the key to those scoring opportunities was not due primarily to poor Lafayette defending, but to consistently solid Harvard ball movement.

Though the Crimson opened the game with sloppy ball handling, enabling the Leopards to grab an early lead before hanging tough through halftime, crisp, side-to-side passing drove Harvard’s second half offense.

“I want more ball movement,” Delaney-Smith said. “I want the ball inside more. I want them to get easier shots rather than the first three-point shot they see.”

Co-captain Tricia Tubridy and sophomore Kate Mannering, when not threading the seams to find Peljto under the basket, contributed 12 and eight points, respectively, with all but six coming in the second half.

“[Mannering] needs to translate her practice confidence into the game,” Delaney-Smith said. “She’s just getting better and better as a player. Maybe this is her bust out game.”

Though Peljto would cool down the rest of the way, scoring just three points from the foul line prior to exiting the game, the Harvard defense was just heating up.

Generating seven more turnovers in the process, the Crimson held Lafayette to a mere seven points over the final 10:06, collectively slamming the door on the Leopard’s already dwindling hopes for a chance at victory.

—Staff writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.