Providence – (February 22nd, 2025) What a game we had here as Brown University took on Harvard in an Ivy League showdown. The intensity was high from the opening tip, with Harvard winning the jump ball, but Brown quickly made their presence known with a steal. Brown’s Gianna Aiello capitalized at the free-throw line, giving her team an early 2-0 lead.
Harvard struggled early, committing a turnover, and it wasn’t until the 7:58 mark in the first quarter that Elena Rodriguez got them on the board with a layup. Brown’s Beth Nelson answered with a three-pointer, pushing the lead to 7-2. Harvard’s Harmoni Turner responded with a jumper, and with 4:53 left in the first, a timeout was called.
After the break, Rodriguez knocked down a three, but Nelson once again attacked, driving all the way for an easy basket, keeping Brown ahead 9-6. Harvard’s Turner went on a mini-run, scoring a bucket and getting a steal, which led to an offensive rebound and putback from Rodriguez, giving Harvard its first lead at 10-9.
The lead continued to change hands as Brown’s Maddie Calhoun hit a three, followed by a shifty move to the basket from Grace Arnolie, putting Brown back on top, 14-13. Brown extended their lead with free throws and took a 17-13 advantage into the second quarter, shooting an impressive 50% from the field.
Brown came out firing in the second, as Grace Arnolie knocked down a three to push the lead to 20-13. The Brown bench erupted, chanting “One more stop! One more stop!” as their defense forced another Harvard turnover. Olivia Young came up big with a block, followed by a three-pointer, making it 23-13. Arnolie continued her stellar play, attacking the basket for another layup, putting Brown up 25-13.
Harvard needed an answer, and Alyana Rocco delivered with a three-pointer. A turnover allowed Harmoni Turner to score off the glass, and Rocco hit another three, cutting the deficit to 26-23. Brown’s Arnolie responded with a clutch three-pointer of her own, stretching the lead back to 29-23. She later found Ima for a smooth assist, giving Brown a 31-25 lead. However, Harvard’s Rodriguez fought hard on the boards, securing an offensive rebound and putback to make it a four-point game at halftime, 31-27.
To open the third quarter, Olivia Young drained a three for Brown, extending the lead to 34-27. Harvard’s Turner answered with a strong drive, but Brown kept its momentum as Beth Nelson hit another three, putting them up 37-29. Harvard called a timeout to regroup. Out of the break, Young came up with a big block, but Turner responded with a deep three, yelling “In your face, baby!” as she brought Harvard within 7, 39-32. Another timeout followed, and this time, Rocco knocked down another triple, followed by a Harvard defensive stand. Rodriguez then powered her way inside for a layup, cutting Brown’s lead to just three at 40-37. Harvard forced yet another turnover, and Turner converted at the free-throw line, tying the game at 40-40.
Harvard took its first lead of the second half when Karlee White knocked down a jumper to make it 42-40. Brown answered with a three from Mady Calhoun, regaining the lead at 43-42, but Harvard’s Rocco came back with a deep three, putting Harvard up 45-43. Turner then added another layup, sending Harvard into the fourth quarter with a 47-43 lead.
Harvard came out strong in the final period, with Rodriguez once again dominating inside, scoring on back-to-back putbacks to push the lead to 51-43. Aiello, who had been a spark for Brown all game, fought back with a layup, cutting the deficit to 53-45. Arnolie converted an and-one, bringing Brown within five at 53-48. With just over four minutes to play, Aiello struck again with another layup, making it 56-50. Harvard called a timeout to slow the momentum, but Aiello wasn’t finished—she scored another bucket, pulling Brown within three at 56-53. The Brown bench chanted again, urging for “one more stop,” and the defense delivered, forcing a crucial Harvard turnover.
With 50 seconds left and Brown down by four, Arnolie cleared out and attacked the basket, cutting the deficit to one at 56-55. Harvard fouled, and Arnolie calmly sank both free throws, giving Brown a 57-56 lead with just 30.8 seconds remaining. Turner sealed the game at the line, securing a thrilling 60-57 victory for Harvard. Seniors Gianna Aiello and Isabella Mauricio, despite the tough loss, are fired up and ready for their next matchup on the road against Columbia.
