But Clark and Golen completed back-to-back field goals to keep the Crimson ahead.

Despite the narrow margin and back-and-forth nature of the game, BU could not manage to take the lead. The Crimson held the advantage from 14:33 in the second half until the contest’s end.

“We had a few breakdowns offensively and a couple unnecessary turnovers that gave them a couple fast-break points, and they started to get a little momentum,” Golen said. “We just dug deep and knew we needed to get stops.”

Delaney-Smith's preaching of defense all week in practice paid off, as the Crimson forced 15 turnovers and held Boston University to 36 percent shooting from the field.

“I just think it was our defense tonight,” Delaney-Smith said. “That’s been our problem all along—holding teams to a reasonable number [and] getting consecutive stops. We’ve been working on it, and I thought tonight was terrific.”

Clark finished with 16 points for the Crimson, while Berry had 10 and junior guard Victoria Lippert scored 11.

Agboola was held to 12 points by the Crimson defense, and Mo Moran scored 18 for BU.

Although the Crimson outrebounded the Terriers, 47-34, Harvard shot a season-low 35 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers.

“Rebounding has always been a point of emphasis for us,” Delaney-Smith said. “I have to credit BU for our low shooting percentage. Shooting percentage, turnovers, defense, and rebounding—either one or two of those have been a nemesis for us, and so if we can get it all in order we will be okay.”