Harvard women’s basketball coach Kathy Delaney-Smith was upset with the way her team performed on the defensive end in Sunday’s loss to Vermont.

Just two days later, the Crimson (7-5) responded by putting in one if its best performances of the year en route to a 80-56 victory over Holy Cross on Tuesday night at Lavietes Pavilion.

Harvard held the Crusaders (4-6) to just 30% shooting—much improved from Sunday, when the Crimson gave up 80 points and allowed Vermont to shoot over 60% from the field in the second half.

“We were really disappointed with that game and knew we had to do better [tonight],” said senior co-captain Lindsey Hallion, who finished with 15 points and six assists.

Along with improving the defense, coach Delaney-Smith focused her team on rebounding heading into Tuesday’s match-up. Harvard out-rebounded Holy Cross, 43-34, and 14 of those came from senior Adrian Budischak, matching her career high. Junior Liz Tindal also contributed eight rebounds off the bench.

The Crimson got off to a fast start, jumping ahead 20-9. The Crusaders, though, were able to pull back to within three, 27-24, with just three minutes left in the half.

The most important periods of the game for Harvard were the few minutes on either side of half time.

The Crimson closed out the first half with an 11-4 run that gave the team a comfortable 10-point cushion at the break. Freshman Christine Matera came off the bench to hit two vital 3-pointers during that stretch.

Harvard started the second half the same way it finished the first, scoring the half’s opening seven points, and the Crimson maintained the high intensity level for the rest of the game. Even on the bench, the Harvard players were jumping up and down, celebrating every basket made.

“I admire the energy on the bench,” coach Delaney-Smith said. “Group energy can help swing momentum.”

As usual, the Crimson got key contributions from juniors Emily Tay and Niki Finelli, who added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The performance of the starters was supplemented by extremely solid bench play. Every available Harvard player got some game time, and 11 different scorers helped to ensure the blowout. The 24-point margin of victory was Harvard’s largest of the season.

“We are the ultimate team,” coach Delaney-Smith said. “You can’t come in and stop any one player.”

—Staff writer Jay M. Cohen can be reached at jaycohen@fas.harvard.edu.