CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - A 16-0 run midway through the game saw the University of Pennsylvania (17-7, 8-3 Ivy) women's basketball team fight back from a 15-point deficit at Harvard on Friday, but the Quakers' comeback bid fell short in the final seconds, 55-52. Penn remains in sole possession of second place in the Ivy League despite the result. 

PENN NEWS AND NOTES
*Freshman Eleah Parker led the way offensively for the Quakers with 14 points, chipping in eight rebounds and three blocks. Friday's game is the 17th this season in double figures for the rookie.

*Three Quakers posted eight points on the night, including Anna Ross, Phoebe Sterba and Princess Aghayere. Sterba and Aghayere were key cogs in the first half comeback for Penn.

*Michelle Nwokedi finished with a team-high 11 rebounds, adding in six points. 

*Penn falls to 31-50 all-time vs. Harvard, snapping a program-best nine-game winning streak against the Crimson. Harvard is 11-0 at home this season.

*Turnovers plagued Penn, as the Quakers committed 15 miscues for 15 Harvard points. Penn is 2-3 this season when losing the turnover battle.  

HOW IT HAPPENED
Harvard shot out of the gates on fire, shooting over 60 percent in the first quarter behind 10 points from Taylor Rooks. After both teams started well on offense, the Crimson exploded on a 13-0 run to push their lead to 20-8. Penn responded to hold Harvard scoreless for over three minutes to end the period, but still saw itself down 22-12 after one.

The Crimson extended their advantage to 15 points twice in the second quarter before Penn began its run. Down 31-16, the Quakers saw production off the bench from Aghayere and Sterba inside and out, going on a 12-0 run to end the half down just three, at 31-28. Defensively, Penn clamped down to hold Harvard scoreless for the final 5:07 of the period.

The run continued into the third quarter for Penn, as the Quakers grabbed the lead at 32-31 to cap a 16-0 spurt. Harvard repsonded with a run of its own, breaking a scoring drought of over 10 minutes, and the teams tussled back-and-forth to end the third quarter tied at 41-41. 

Penn returned the favor with a scoring drought of its own, going over six minutes without points in the fourth quarter to doom its momentum. Harvard extended its lead to 50-43 to take control, before a late flurry from the Quakers saw the Red and Blue cut the Crimson lead down to one possession several times in the final minute. Three 3-pointers, from Whitlatch and Ross, gave Penn a chance late, before the Quakers forced a jump ball with 9.4 seconds remaining with the chance to tie. With no timeouts, Penn drew a play off the sideline, but Ross was unable to shake free the Crimson defender and saw her 3-point chance fall short, sealing the win for the home team. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
Penn will look for a quick rebound tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 24, at Dartmouth at 5 p.m.