Photo by; Ivy League
March 15th, 2025 (Providence)- It’s the championship game, and the energy is electric. Harvard’s coach and staff are swagged out in a fire fit, stepping onto the court, Columbia, ready for battle, as they come out to Gelo Tweaker, the Columbia fans erupt, chanting, Let’s go Lions! Let’s go Lions! The arena is alive with excitement, kids holding up Harmoni Turner poster boards and Harvard fans proudly sporting their H on their shirts. The stage is set, and both teams are ready to leave it all on the floor.
The game tips off with Columbia’s Perri Page getting an early offensive board and putback, but Harvard’s Harmoni Turner answers with a smooth pull-up jumper, tying the game at 2-2. Turner quickly follows up with a steal and easy bucket, giving Harvard a 4-2 lead. Columbia isn’t backing down, though—Kitty Henderson drills a three to put the Lions up 5-4. Columbia keeps the pressure on as Cecilia Collins converts a layup off a steal, pushing their lead to 7-4. Harvard fights back behind Elena Rodriguez, who gets a tough bucket off the glass. But Columbia’s Riley Weiss knocks down a three, extending their lead to 13-6 and forcing a Harvard timeout. The Lions are feasting off turnovers early, already with five points off Harvard’s mistakes. As the quarter progresses, Harvard leans on Turner and Rodriguez, but Columbia’s Mia Broom and Kitty Henderson answer with big shots. The back-and-forth battle sees Harvard grab a slim 19-18 lead by the end of the first quarter, dominating the paint 12-8.
The second quarter opens with Turner burying a three, but Columbia responds as Riley Weiss and Kitty Henderson keep them striking distance. Harvard’s Karlee White and Alayna Rocco deliver crucial buckets, pushing their team to a 34-26 lead. Columbia calls timeout to regroup. Coming out of the break, Columbia’s Maria Arrebola drains a three, followed by Riley Weiss sinking three free throws after a foul. The game tightens up, but Harvard remains in control at halftime, leading 44-42.
The intensity ramps up in the second half, with both teams trading baskets. Turner continues to dominate, dishing a slick pass to Rodriguez for an easy layup. Columbia’s Cecilia Collins and Perri Page step up, keeping the game close. Harvard, however, maintains a slim lead heading into the fourth, up 59-57. With the fans on their feet, the final quarter is a battle of wills. Collins ties the game at 65-65 with clutch free throws, but Harvard’s Abigail Wright and Karlee White respond with huge plays down the stretch. A late foul on Turner sends her to the line, where she calmly extends Harvard’s lead. As the final seconds wind down, White seals the win with an easy layup, and the Harvard Crimson claim the 2025 Ivy Madness Championship with a 74-71 victory. Columbia’s Riley Weiss led all scorers with 21 points, while Cecilia Collins added 18. For Harvard, Harmoni Turner delivered 24 points and 4 assists, while Elena Rodriguez and Carly White played key roles in the victory.
Photo by: Ivy League
When asked post-game about her performance, Turner simply stated,’ ”I’ve worked hard for this, and I haven’t even reached my peak yet”. As for Karlee White, her teammates summed up her game in one word “efficient.” It was a historic night for Harvard, as Coach Moore became the first Black woman to lead the Crimson to a championship. As she soaked in the moment, she made one thing clear: Harvard is ready to keep dancing
