WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a monumental individual performance and a relentless comeback, the Mercyhurst Lakers outlasted the New Haven Chargers in overtime, 81-75, in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball clash on Thursday night at Charger Gymnasium.

The contest was a showcase for New Haven’s Aniya McDonald-Perry, who delivered a career-defining 25-point effort, but it was ultimately Mercyhurst’s balanced attack and clutch plays in the extra period that secured the road victory.

Mercyhurst, which improved to 7-13, appeared in danger of being overwhelmed early as New Haven, now 6-14, built a 34-26 halftime lead. The Chargers’ defense stifled the Lakers in the first half, but the script flipped dramatically after the break. Mercyhurst erupted for a 27-point third quarter, spearheaded by the backcourt duo of Cici Hernandez and Sofia Wilson, to seize momentum and a narrow lead.

The fourth quarter evolved into a tense duel. McDonald-Perry, a 5-foot-10 guard, was virtually unstoppable, attacking the rim and drawing fouls to keep New Haven afloat. Her two free throws with under a minute to play tied the score at 69, forcing overtime after Mercyhurst’s final possession of regulation resulted in a missed jump shot by Lena Walz.

In the overtime period, with the scored knotted at 75 and momentum in the balance, Mercyhurst executed a decisive final minute. Sofia Wilson of Avon Lake, Ohio, drove for a layup to put the Lakers ahead for good with 24 seconds remaining. Following a New Haven timeout, the Chargers’ last-gasp three-point attempt by Jasmine McKay missed, and Wilson secured the defensive rebound to effectively seal the game.

Wilson finished with 14 points and a game-high seven assists, orchestrating the offense throughout the night. Hernandez, from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, led the Lakers with 21 points, including five three-pointers, and added four assists. Walz contributed 16 points, and Jenna Van Schaik of Cincinnati, Ohio, added 13.

Despite the loss, McDonald-Perry’s performance was historic. She played 45 minutes, scoring her 25 points on a combination of powerful drives and perfect 8-for-8 shooting from the free-throw line. She also added four assists and four blocked shots, impacting the game on both ends. Addisen Sulikowski of Saco, Maine, supported her with 14 points, and Lindsay Hogan of Bayville, New York, added 16 points and two blocks for the Chargers.

The most critical phase of the game was unquestionably Mercyhurst’s third-quarter surge. After being held to just 26 points in the first half, the Lakers nearly matched that output in the third quarter alone, outscoring New Haven 27-14 to completely reverse the game’s trajectory. This explosive period, fueled by transition baskets and timely three-point shooting, pulled Mercyhurst back from an eight-point deficit and set the stage for the dramatic finish.

The victory gave Mercyhurst a regular-season sweep of the Chargers, having also won 66-63 just a week prior in Erie, Pennsylvania. The game was played before an announced crowd of 311.

Mercyhurst will look to build on the win when it hosts Chicago State on Saturday. New Haven will aim to regroup at home against Saint Francis (PA) on the same day.