But the sophomore’s tallies weren’t enough to capsize the Midshipmen as Gordon responded with another three-point shot.

This time it was the Lippert who stepped up with back-to-back jump shots to bring the margin back to six, a lead the Crimson would never relinquish.

“We definitely had to buckle down and make sure we stayed composed while also bringing our intensity,” she said. “It’s great to have a close game, but we definitely have to be able to bring out our own fire.”

Just as Markley had opened up the floor for her teammates in the first half, so too did Lippert’s effort allow her teammates to find the net, including those not in the starting lineup.

“We saw a lot of good things coming from the bench,” Markley said. “Everyone contributed toward the end of the game, which is really good.”

Saturday’s star substitute was Hagedorn, who had eight points—fourth behind Lippert, Markley, and Berry—and three rebounds.

“[Hagedorn] had a great game,” Lippert said. “She had a number of offensive rebounds [and] provided a good energy. Those are the kinds of plays we need to be successful.”

The win keeps the Crimson undefeated at home, but it will have to improve on its 1-4 away record if it wants to hold a winning record through its next three games—all away contests. The last of these looms particularly large, as it is a road game against Dartmouth—the team that destroyed Harvard’s hopes for an Ivy Title and NCAA berth last year.

“Our home court is nice to us,” Lippert said. “At this point, we have to step up our ‘A-Game’ and prepare for away games and win games. We’ve got to be able to mentally prepare and focus, regardless of the setting.”

—Staff writer Christina C. McClintock can be reached at ccmcclin@fas.harvard.edu.