COROPOLIS, Pa. (Interstat) — In a tense, back-and-forth contest defined by defensive pressure and offensive struggles, the Robert Morris Colonials remained undefeated, edging the Duquesne Dukes 64-62 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at a raucous Charles L. Sewall Center.

The game was a tale of contrasting strengths. Robert Morris leveraged its efficiency from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line to overcome a Duquesne squad that won the battle on the glass but was ultimately undone by a season-high in turnovers.

Neither team led by more than seven points in a contest that featured 10 lead changes and six ties. The Colonials took a 32-30 advantage into halftime, fueled by an 18-point second quarter. Duquesne responded after the break, but Robert Morris maintained its narrow lead heading into the final period, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

With the game tied in the final minute, Robert Morris’s Aislin Malcolm was fouled on a driving layup attempt with just 3.4 seconds remaining. She calmly sank both free throws to put the Colonials ahead for good. Duquesne’s ensuing inbounds pass was deflected, and time expired before the Dukes could attempt a final shot.

The victory was secured at the charity stripe, where Robert Morris converted 13 of 17 attempts, including the two decisive shots from Malcolm. Duquesne, by contrast, made just 9 of 14 from the line.

Robert Morris (4-0) was propelled by a game-high 21 points from guard Noa Givon of Ra’anana, Israel. Givon’s shooting from deep was crucial, as she connected on five of the Colonials’ nine three-pointers. Myriam Traore of Lognes, France, provided a strong interior presence, contributing 13 points and anchoring the defense with a block in 37 minutes of action. Ava Leroux of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, added nine points and was a disruptive force defensively with two steals.

Duquesne (4-1) saw its four-game winning streak snapped despite a valiant effort. The Dukes were led by Harriet Ford of Perth, Australia, who scored 15 points and dished out four assists. Guard Mackenzie Blackford of Solon, Ohio, shouldered much of the scoring load with 16 points, while Gabby Grantham-Medley of Hagerstown, Maryland, filled the stat sheet with 12 points and four assists.

The Dukes’ offense was hampered by 22 turnovers, which Robert Morris converted into 19 points. Despite shooting a higher percentage from the field (41.7% to Robert Morris’s 38.9%) and out-rebounding the Colonials 39-31, including an 11-8 edge on the offensive glass, Duquesne’s inability to take care of the ball proved decisive.

Robert Morris also held a significant advantage in three-point shooting, making 9 of 23 attempts compared to Duquesne’s 3-of-16 performance from long range. The Colonials’ offensive rating of 87.6 on 73 possessions also bested the Dukes’ mark of 79.8 on 78 possessions, underscoring their more efficient scoring night.

The game was a defensive struggle from the outset, with both teams combining for 41 steals, 21 for Robert Morris and 20 for Duquesne. The Dukes’ Alexis Bordas of Wheeling, West Virginia, was a standout on defense, recording a game-high four steals.

The announced attendance of 1,255 witnessed Robert Morris continue its strong start to the season, adding a hard-fought victory over a previously unbeaten regional rival to its resume. The Colonials will look to maintain their perfect record when they travel to face the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Duquesne, which entered the game with an impressive average margin of victory of 36 points, will look to regroup and rebound when it hosts Kent State next Monday. The loss serves as a stark reminder of the fine margins in college basketball, where efficiency and ball security often trump sheer volume.