BUFFALO, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit and missed opportunities, the Canisius Golden Griffins snapped a seven-game losing streak with a hard-fought 68-63 overtime victory over the Mount Saint Mary’s Mountaineers in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Koessler Athletic Center.

Despite being outshot and outrebounded for significant stretches, Canisius, now 5-22, relied on clutch free-throw shooting and key defensive stops in the extra period to secure just its second win since Jan. 17. Mount Saint Mary’s, which fell to 13-14, was undone by 22 turnovers and an inability to convert critical possessions down the stretch in regulation and overtime.

The game’s most pivotal sequence unfolded in the final 30 seconds of overtime with Canisius clinging to a 65-63 lead. Mount Saint Mary’s forward Zaria Harleaux was called for a foul on Canisius star Shariah Gailes, sending the Golden Griffins’ leading scorer to the line. Gailes, who finished with a game-high 19 points and eight rebounds, calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to four points with 30 seconds remaining.

The Mountaineers, who had rallied from an eight-point deficit with under five minutes left in regulation to force overtime, could not answer. Their ensuing possession ended in a turnover by Alana Powell, her seventh of the game, effectively sealing their fate. Franka Wittenberg added two more free throws for Canisius in the final seconds to provide the final margin.

The contest was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency. Mount Saint Mary’s shot a higher percentage from the field, making 26 of 61 attempts compared to Canisius’s 26 of 58. The Mountaineers also won the battle on the glass, securing nine offensive rebounds to Canisius’s eight, and blocked six shots. However, their offensive flow was consistently disrupted by turnovers, leading to an offensive rating of just 79.5 points per 100 possessions. Canisius, while not sharp, was more efficient with its chances, posting an offensive rating of 89.9.

Canisius opened the game strong, building a 19-11 lead after the first quarter behind early 3-pointers from Mary Copple and Irene Rey Pineda. The Mountaineers’ defense stiffened in the second quarter, holding the Golden Griffins to just eight points to claw back and trail 27-23 at halftime.

Mount Saint Mary’s carried that momentum into the third quarter, outscoring Canisius 19-12 to take a 42-39 lead heading into the final period. The Mountaineers’ bench provided a significant spark, with Zaria Harleaux contributing nine points and five rebounds and Amber Bullard adding eight points and five rebounds.

The fourth quarter became a back-and-forth struggle. Canisius regained the lead and held a 57-53 advantage with under a minute to play after a Franka Wittenberg layup. Mount Saint Mary’s responded with a crucial pull-up jumper from Alana Powell to cut the deficit to two. Following a defensive stop, the Mountaineers had a chance to tie or win in the final seconds of regulation, but Amber Bullard’s driving layup attempt was off the mark, sending the game to overtime tied at 57.

In the extra period, Canisius never trailed. Yasmine Djibril, who finished with 12 points, scored immediately off the opening tip to set the tone. While Mount Saint Mary’s kept pace early, the Golden Griffins’ composure at the free-throw line proved decisive. Canisius went 9 for 12 from the line in overtime, with Gailes and Wittenberg combining for seven of those makes.

For Canisius, Wittenberg complemented Gailes with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Djibril’s 12 points and Copple’s nine points and three assists were also vital.

Mount Saint Mary’s was led by Alana Powell’s 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. Kayla Lindsey posted 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Harleaux and Bullard provided crucial production off the bench.

The win was a rare bright spot in a difficult season for Canisius, while Mount Saint Mary’s saw its hopes for a winning regular season dented with the road loss. Both teams return to conference play on Thursday, with Canisius traveling to face Merrimack and Mount Saint Mary’s hosting Sacred Heart.