PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — A dominant second quarter and a perfect afternoon at the free-throw line propelled the Harvard women’s basketball team to a 53-42 victory over Penn in an Ivy League contest Saturday at The Palestra.

The Crimson, who improved to 9-7 overall, used a 12-2 scoring edge in the second period to seize control of a game that was tightly contested early. After trailing 14-7 following the first quarter, Harvard’s defense stifled the Quakers, holding them to a single field goal in the entire second frame. That defensive stand flipped a seven-point deficit into a 19-16 halftime lead for the visitors.

Harvard’s offense found its rhythm after the break, exploding for 22 points in the third quarter to extend its advantage. The Crimson shot 18 for 51 from the floor for the game, a modest 35.3%, but their efficiency at the charity stripe was decisive. Harvard made all 13 of its free-throw attempts, while Penn converted 7 of 10.

The most critical stretch of the game was undoubtedly Harvard’s second-quarter lockdown. Penn, which scored 14 points in the opening period, went nearly eight minutes without a point after a Mataya Gayle layup at the 6:53 mark of the second quarter. The Quakers committed four turnovers and missed seven consecutive field goal attempts during that span, allowing Harvard to mount a 10-0 run. The Crimson’s own offense was hardly prolific during the surge, but scores from Abigail Wright and Karlee White, coupled with relentless defensive pressure, established a lead Harvard would not relinquish.

Wright, a 6-foot-1 forward from Newton, Massachusetts, led all scorers with 14 points in 28 minutes, adding three assists and a block. Guard Karlee White of Burbank, California, contributed 11 points. For Penn, which fell to 10-6, guard Mataya Gayle from Woodstock, Georgia, scored 16 points, while 6-foot-1 forward Katie Collins of Manasquan, New Jersey, posted 12 points, three assists and three blocks.

Both teams struggled with offensive consistency, with Harvard posting an offensive rating of 81.3 and Penn managing just 64.9 on an equal 65 possessions. The Quakers shot 27.3% from the field, making 15 of 55 attempts, and were 5 for 21 from three-point range. Harvard was slightly better from deep at 4 for 11.

The teams were nearly even in several statistical categories. Each grabbed seven offensive rebounds. Penn dished out nine assists to Harvard’s seven and recorded nine steals to Harvard’s seven. The Quakers also blocked five shots to the Crimson’s four. Turnovers were an issue for both sides, with Harvard committing 15 and Penn giving the ball away 12 times.

The game drew an attendance of 446 to the historic Palestra. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Harvard entered the contest with a 73.40 percent probability to win.

Harvard, which had lost its previous Ivy League game to Columbia, will look to build on the road victory as it travels to face Princeton on Monday. Penn, coming off a double-overtime loss at Brown, will aim to rebound at home against Dartmouth, also on Monday.