News Summary
The University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team suffered a tough defeat against Harvard, losing 53-42 at The Palestra. The Quakers struggled offensively, facing their third consecutive Ivy League loss, while Harvard celebrated their second league win. Mataya Gayle led Penn with 16 points, but the team’s overall shooting percentage was low, contributing to their struggles. The loss leaves Penn at 0-3 in the Ivy League, with their next game against Dartmouth approaching.
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – The University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team experienced a significant setback at home on Saturday, January 17, falling to Harvard with a final score of 53-42. The defeat marks the Quakers’ third consecutive loss in Ivy League play, dropping their conference record to 0-3 and their overall season record to 10-6. Harvard, in contrast, improved to 9-7 overall and 2-1 in Ivy League action following the road victory.
Quakers’ Early Lead Fizzles Amidst Offensive Dry Spells
The game, held at Penn’s home court, The Palestra, saw the Quakers start with impressive momentum, jumping out to an 8-0 lead and extending it to double digits within the first few minutes. Mataya Gayle fueled this early surge for Penn, converting back-to-back three-pointers. However, Harvard quickly regrouped, calling a timeout and then forcing a 10-second violation from Penn. Despite missing their first five shots, the Crimson slowly began to chip away at Penn’s lead, cutting it to 14-7 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter proved to be a turning point for the Quakers, as their offense stalled dramatically. Penn managed to score only two points in the entire quarter, going 0-for-9 from the field. This offensive drought allowed Harvard to seize control, taking a 19-16 lead into halftime. The Crimson continued their strong performance into the third quarter, outscoring Penn 22-12 and establishing a 13-point advantage that they maintained for the remainder of the game. Harvard’s lead never dipped below nine points in the final frame.
Individual Performances
Penn’s Efforts Led by Gayle and Collins
Despite the team’s offensive struggles, two Quakers stood out with strong individual performances. Guard Mataya Gayle led all scorers with a game-high 16 points for Penn. Forward Katie Collins also contributed significantly, adding 12 points and a team-high 9 rebounds, just shy of a double-double. This marked Collins’ seventh consecutive game scoring in double figures. Overall, Penn shot a challenging 27 percent from the field on 15-of-55 attempts, and was outrebounded by Harvard 41-31.
Harvard’s Balanced Attack and Dominant Defense
Harvard’s victory was a result of a balanced scoring attack and a formidable defensive effort. Abigail Wright led the Crimson with a double-double, recording 14 points and 10 rebounds. This was Wright’s second double-double of the season. She also leads the team in points per game (15.1) and rebounds per game (6.9). Supporting Wright’s effort were Saniyah Glenn-Bello and Karlee White, each adding 11 points. In her first career start, Olivia Jones made a notable impact with five points, eight rebounds, and a career-high five assists, along with a steal.
The Crimson’s defense played a crucial role in limiting Penn, holding them to under 30 percent shooting from the field. Harvard also capitalized on opportunities in the paint, outscoring Penn 28-16 in that area, and forced 16 turnovers from the Quakers. Harvard’s overall shooting percentage was 35.3% (18-of-51).
Coaches Reflect on Performance and Look Ahead
Penn’s coach, Mike McLaughlin, acknowledged the team’s offensive difficulties, attributing the loss to “dry spells” and poor shot selection. He emphasized that defensively, the team is “good enough to win,” but offensive shortcomings prevented them from making a serious run in the game.
With this loss, Penn remains winless in Ivy League play and will need to quickly refocus to stay in contention for the Ivy Madness tournament, which qualifies the top four teams. The Quakers will have a quick turnaround, hosting Dartmouth on Monday, January 19. Meanwhile, Harvard will aim to build on their momentum as they travel to face the #22 nationally ranked Princeton Tigers on Monday, January 19, at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the final score of the Penn vs. Harvard women’s basketball game on January 17, 2026?
The final score of the game was Harvard 53, Penn 42.
What are the current records for Penn and Harvard women’s basketball after the game?
After the game, the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s basketball team holds an overall record of 10-6 and an Ivy League record of 0-3. Harvard’s women’s basketball team improved to 9-7 overall and 2-1 in Ivy League play.
Who were the top performers for each team?
For Penn, Mataya Gayle led all scorers with a game-high 16 points, and Katie Collins contributed 12 points along with a team-high 9 rebounds. For Harvard, Abigail Wright achieved a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Saniyah Glenn-Bello and Karlee White each added 11 points.
What were some key statistics from the game?
Penn shot 27 percent from the field (15-of-55) and was outrebounded 41-31. Harvard shot 35.3 percent (18-of-51) from the field, outrebounded Penn 41-31, scored 28 points in the paint, and forced 16 turnovers from Penn.
What is Penn’s next game?
Penn’s next game is at home against Dartmouth on Monday, January 19.
Game Key Features
| Feature | Penn Quakers | Harvard Crimson |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 42 | 53 |
| Overall Record | 10-6 | 9-7 |
| Ivy League Record | 0-3 | 2-1 |
| Location | The Palestra, Philadelphia, PA | |
| Top Scorer | Mataya Gayle (16 points) | Abigail Wright (14 points) |
| Rebounds Leader | Katie Collins (9 rebounds) | Abigail Wright (10 rebounds) |
| Field Goal Percentage | 27% (15-of-55) | 35.3% (18-of-51) |
| Rebounding Advantage | 31 | 41 |
| Points in the Paint | 16 | 28 |
| Turnovers Forced | – | 16 |
| Next Game (Jan. 19) | vs. Dartmouth | vs. #22 Princeton |
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