“What we had to do was calm ourselves down, think about the fundamentals and focus on defense,” Markley said.

Fittingly, Harvard’s turnaround started on defense with a rebound from junior co-captain Claire Wheeler. On the following play, Berry slashed to the basket, where she was fouled.

The sophomore hit both of her shots.

“Brogan’s our rock,” Delaney-Smith said. “She’s the boss on the floor.”

Lippert was next on the board with a three-point shot at 12:53, followed by a Wheeler layup, putting Harvard back up by 10.

Never again would Holy Cross challenge the Crimson for the lead.

Harvard dominated the end of the game just as convincingly as it did from the tip-off.

Markley led the way with 18 points, 15 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

“They had to double her to take her left shoulder away and they still couldn’t stop her,” Delaney-Smith said.

Berry was second in scoring with 16 points, and junior co-captain Christine Matera went 4-for-8 from beyond he three-point line. Lippert finished with 13, as four Harvard players scored in double digits.

“Everyone has to contribute,” Markley said. “It can’t be one or two players. Everyone’s got to bring it.”

The Crimson closed out the game with a 17-point margin of victory. Towards the end, the Crusaders lost the composure that had brought them within three, and Harvard finished the game as smoothly as it began it.

“We need to come out with a lot of intensity,” Markley said. “We did. We came out with a lot of energy in the first half. In the second half, it started to go back and forth, but we were able to pick ourselves up and finish strong.”