Harvard followed-up an inspirational win over No. 25 Indiana Thursday by laying an egg Sunday in Hamden, Conn. against Quinnipiac. The Bobcats mauled Harvard, 76-53.
“This is a tough after a win on Thursday over a good team. The maturity didn’t carry over. Disappointing lack of intensity,” Harvard coach Carrie Moore said.
Harvard (2-1) led 13-7 after the first quarter, fueled by a strong defense.
Quinnipiac (2-0) outscored the Crimson 23-7 in the second stanza. The visitors’ leading scorer, senior guard Harmoni Turner, sat for seven minutes, while the Bobcats outscored Harvard, 14-0.
“Wanted her (Turner) to settle in,” Moore said.
The Bobcat run was broken by a jumper by Crimson junior guard Saniyah Glenn-Bello.
Quinnipiac exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Harvard 30-16 to put the game out of reach.
Harvard junior forward Katie Krupa fouled out at 2:12 of the third quarter after committing a technical foul.
Senior guard Jackie Grisdale had a career-day for Quinnipiac, notching 33 points. Grisdale was 12-for-16 from the field, including 7-for-8 in treys. She also pulled down seven rebounds.
“She is a really good player,” Moore said.
Freshman guard Alayna Rocco led the Crimson with 13 points, and junior guard Gabby Anderson snared a team-high six rebounds.
Harvard defeated Quinnipiac, 85-41, at Lavietes Pavilion last November.
The Crimson are next in action at home against Boston College on Thursday.
Quinnipiac plays Princeton at home on Saturday.