HAMILTON, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive struggle to close the non-conference schedule, the Colgate women’s basketball team leaned on a dominant performance from Ella Meabon to outlast Lafayette 63-57 in a Patriot League matchup Wednesday afternoon at Cotterell Court.

The game, a low-efficiency affair for both sides, was ultimately decided at the free-throw line and by Colgate’s ability to secure extra possessions. The Raiders attempted 19 free throws, making 17, while Lafayette went 10 for 16. Colgate also won the battle on the offensive glass, grabbing 10 rebounds to Lafayette’s four, leading to crucial second-chance opportunities.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute with Colgate clinging to a narrow lead. After Lafayette’s Sauda Ntaconayigize hit a critical three-pointer with 21 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to 59-57, the Leopards were forced to foul. Colgate’s composure from the stripe, a theme all afternoon, sealed the victory. Madison Schiller made one of two free throws with 4 seconds left, and after a Lafayette turnover, Amarah Streiff sank two more with less than a second on the clock to provide the final margin.

Meabon, a guard from Fairport, N.Y., was the engine for Colgate, scoring a game-high 27 points and pulling down nine rebounds in 39 minutes. She was particularly effective in drawing contact, going a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line, including four makes in the final 33 seconds under pressure. Her backcourt partner, Madison Schiller of Wyckoff, N.J., added 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists, directing the Raiders’ offense.

Lafayette was led by Teresa Kiewiet of North Mankato, Minn., who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. Sauda Ntaconayigize of Quebec City contributed 14 points, and Talia Zurinskas of Allentown, Pa., chipped in 12 points and five assists. The Leopards’ defense was active, recording four blocks and three steals, but they struggled to find consistent offensive flow, managing only three assists as a team.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair defined by runs. Lafayette opened the scoring and held an early lead, but Colgate responded with a 13-2 run fueled by two three-pointers from Streiff to take control. The Raiders led 31-29 at halftime, a margin that reflected the tight nature of the contest.

Colgate appeared to take command in the third quarter, stretching its lead to as many as 11 points after an Ella Meabon jumper made it 47-36 with 2:46 left in the period. However, Lafayette closed the quarter on an 11-0 run, capped by a Rosie Scognamiglio three-pointer at the buzzer, to tie the game at 47 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter saw six lead changes and two ties as neither team could gain separation. With the score knotted at 56 and under three minutes to play, Colgate’s defense tightened, and the Raiders began their decisive march to the free-throw line. Lafayette had chances in the final minute, but a missed driving layup by Kiewiet and a blocked three-point attempt by Zurinskas in the closing seconds ended the comeback bid.

With the win, Colgate improves to 5-7 overall. Lafayette falls to 4-8. Both teams open Patriot League play on Saturday, with Colgate hosting Army and Lafayette welcoming Loyola Maryland.