NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Lafayette Leopards held off a furious fourth-quarter rally from the Wagner Seahawks to escape the Spiro Sports Center with a 56-53 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Thursday.

The Leopards, who improved to 3-3, appeared to be in control for much of the contest, building a lead that reached as many as 11 points. However, they had to withstand a desperate final push from the host Seahawks, who fell to 1-4 on the season.

Lafayette established its footing early, taking a 10-8 lead after a first quarter plagued by offensive struggles from both sides. The Leopards extended their advantage to 25-18 by halftime, capitalizing on Wagner’s frigid shooting. The Seahawks managed to connect on only one of their 11 attempts from three-point range for the entire game.

The third quarter saw Wagner begin to chip away at the deficit, outscoring Lafayette 15-13 to trim the Leopards’ lead to 38-33 heading into the final period. The Seahawks’ comeback bid intensified in the fourth, where they erupted for 20 points, but Lafayette answered with 18 of its own to secure the win.

Haylie Adamski led the Leopards with 13 points, including three crucial three-pointers, and added three assists and a block. Teresa Kiewiet contributed 15 points, while Talia Zurinskas chipped in 14, helping to offset a team performance that included 27 turnovers.

Wagner’s effort was spearheaded by Lijirin Doyinsola Modesayor, who dominated inside for a game-high 17 points. Keana Foz added 10 points for the Seahawks, who won the battle on the offensive glass 18-6 but were ultimately undone by poor shooting from the field and the free-throw line, where they went 14 for 24.

Defensively, both teams were active, with Wagner recording 11 steals and five blocks to Lafayette’s seven steals and two blocks. The game was played at an identical 77 possessions for each team, but Lafayette’s slightly more efficient offensive output proved to be the difference.

The announced attendance was 150. Lafayette will next travel to face Pittsburgh on Tuesday, while Wagner returns to action at home against Iona on Monday.