The UMass women’s basketball team fell in its season opener to Harvard, 71-58, on Monday at Lavietes Pavilion in Cambridge.
The Minutewomen led, 15-12, after the first quarter, however the Crimson outscored UMass, 20-6, in the second frame in what wound up being the difference in this non-conference matchup.
Trailing 32-21 at half, the Minutewomen (0-1) cut the deficit to three points late in regulation, yet Harvard sealed the victory with a 10-0 run in the final 44 seconds.
Allie Palmieri led UMass with 15 points and finished the night 3-for-5 from beyond the arc while Megan Olbrys snagged a team-best 13 rebounds and added eight points.
Yahmani McKayle (nine points) and Aleah Sorrentino (eight points) also had strong games for the Minutewomen, which shot a combined 44 percent from the field as a team.
Turnovers were crucial in this one as UMass concluded with more than double the amount of turnovers as the hosts (34-16).
UMass will return to action on Thursday when it hosts New Hampshire in its home-opener. Tip-off at the Mullins Center is set for 6 p.m.
