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In a dazzling display, senior guard Harmoni Turner etched her name into the Harvard record books, delivering a historic performance in Harvard’s 78-70 bounce back victory over Boston College. Turner’s finest Crimson performance saw her record a double-double, including scoring a program single-game record 41 points while adding 10 rebounds and shooting 7-for-11 from beyond the arc.

“I’m really proud of our team for responding,” Head Coach Carrie Moore said. “Our backs were against the wall after Sunday. Harmoni played an incredible game and we needed every bucket she scored. Outside of her, we really struggled. They went player to player and we didn't look as good. She really stepped up during those times.”

Turner joined the Crimson as a heralded five-star prospect out of Mansfield, Texas in 2021. She quickly made her presence known, leading the team in scoring with 15.9 points per game. Her efforts earned her Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

Turner improved on her rookie season, averaging 16-6-5 (points-rebounds-assists) en route to a first team All-Ivy selection in 2022. The team improved from 13-14 during the 2021-2022 season to 20-12 in 2022-2023, advancing to the Ivy League championship game but losing to Princeton.

Last season was Turner’s finest, delivering a 19-6-4 statline, earning her first-team All-Ivy honors for the second straight season. Her basketball talent transcended even Harvard basketball: earlier this year, she co-captained Team USA to an undefeated gold medal at the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup.

She currently ranks top-10 in both career points and assists at Harvard, while achieving the fourth highest scoring average (17.0) in program history. She was poised for a dominant season coming into this year, and thus far she’s delivered a top-25 win over Indiana, the first in the program since the 2018-19 season, and the record breaking performance against Boston College.

From the game’s outset, Turner carried the Crimson’s offense, hitting three consecutive three-pointers to spark a 16-4 run and setting the tone for a career-defining night.

“She’s an incredible player,” Moore said. “When she’s hitting threes, it’s like how are you going to guard her?”

“I allowed the game to come to me,” Turner said about her strong performance. “My teammates did a great job of finding me and my coaches did a great job of believing in me and never losing that belief especially since I haven’t been having a good shooting year. I really love my team and coaches.”

Turner scored an astounding 15 points in the first quarter against BC, before her offensive output slowed in the second quarter, finishing the half with 20 points. She quickly picked up where she left off in the third quarter, going on an 8-0 run to reclaim a 53-48 lead for Harvard.

Turner saved her best moves for the final period, scoring Harvard’s first seven points in the period. Despite her scoring prowess, Harvard found itself trailing 65-63. From here, Turner turned into a classic playmaker, finding teammates like freshman guard Alayna Rocco for clutch baskets that were crucial for the eventual 78-70 win.

“I already know where she’s going to be,” Turner said, on her assists to Rocco. “I trust that she’s going to make the shot. It’s all about allowing the game to come to me and if I don’t have a shot, then I have a kick.”

In the final seconds of the contest, Turner converted a layup to eclipse the 40-point mark and secure the 78-70 victory for Harvard.

Turner’s role in two historic Harvard achievements through four games is helping her build a strong case for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year award. Her incredible season will continue on the road this Sunday, Nov. 17 at noon against the University of Maine, with streaming on ESPN+.

—Staff writer Oscar E. Mercado can be reached at oscar.mercado@thecrimson.com.