Harvard Women Hoopsters Fall to Terriers, 70-57

The Harvard women's basketball team dropped its final game of the year to Boston University last night, 70-57. Debra Miller, the Terriers' version of Julius Erving, dazzled the crowd and dominated play with 24 acrobatic points.

Caryn Curry came out smoking, scoring eight of the Crimson's first 12 points, but Miller and fellow freshman Terry Shinkwin shot B.U. into the lead halfway through the first half, 18-16.

Scrappy Defense

Suddenly, Miller started going out of control, presenting an offensive display that had the fans howling. Harvard played scrappy defense, but Miller was dropping in tip-ins, set shots, reverse layups and double-pump runners to send B.U. into the locker room ahead, 30-20, at the half.

Harvard returned to its basic patterned game, releasing Curry for her patented, floating net ripplers. Lesly Greis added a few strong inside moves to help Harvard to a 43-37 lead midway through the half.

Again, as if on cue, Miller entertained the crowd with a finger roll, two turn-arounds and three steals to send B.U. into the lead, 60-49.

Crimson coach Carole Kleinfelder immediately called for a full press, directed by Tamar Atinc and Gia Johnson. Harvard forced the Terriers into six consecutive turnovers, as the two superquick Crimson guards drove the frustrated B.U. team into a panic.

But the effort was not enough, as the final buzzer left the Crimson on the short end of a 70-57 score. Harvard finished its season with a 13-10 record.