“[Fagbenle] is not only a vocal leader, but also leads the team by doing,” Healy said. “Her success comes from her dedication to this team, commitment to consistency, and ability to lead by example, not just words.”

Forward Erin McDonnell finished with 15 points, and Dinkins contributed 12 by shooting 4-for-5 from three-point land.  

Although the Crimson had not played in nine days, the team showed little rust in the early going. After Dinkins sank a three-pointer in the first 10 seconds, Harvard intermittently held the lead until the 14-minute mark of the first half, when the Crimson’s scoreless stretch began.

Harvard’s defeat denied the team an appearance in the final of the Georgia Tech Holiday Classic. Instead, the Crimson will face Lipscomb University, which lost by 18 to Georgia Tech later on Monday, in Tuesday’s consolation game.

“It comes back to inconsistency,” Healy said. “I love playing for this team and have so much faith in our success…. [It’s] disappointing after how hard we all worked in preparation for the game.”

—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sdanello@college.harvard.edu.