BOSTON (Interstat) — In a game that defied projections and required two extra periods to decide, the North Carolina A&T Aggies edged the Northeastern Huskies 84-83 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball thriller on Friday night at Matthews Arena.

The contest, witnessed by 210 fans, was a tale of resilience for the visiting Aggies, who overcame a disastrous start and a late-game rally by the Huskies to snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 6-8. Northeastern, which led for nearly the entire regulation, fell to 4-9 with its third consecutive loss. The outcome was starkly against the grain, as statistical models had heavily favored North Carolina A&T with an 83.9% probability to win.

The game’s pivotal sequence, and arguably its most important part, unfolded in the frantic final seconds of the first overtime. With North Carolina A&T clinging to a 78-77 lead, Northeastern’s Camryn Collins was fouled on a driving layup with 19 seconds remaining. The sophomore guard from Foxboro, Massachusetts, coolly sank the ensuing free throw to complete a three-point play, giving the Huskies an 80-78 advantage—their first lead since late in the fourth quarter.

The Aggies, in response, put the ball in the hands of their floor general, Paris Locke. The junior from Baltimore drove the lane but saw her attempt rim out. Northeastern’s Taylor Holohan secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled. Holohan, who finished with a game-high 22 points, split a pair of free throws with 18 seconds left, extending the Huskies’ lead to 81-78.

Needing a three-pointer to force a second overtime, North Carolina A&T again looked to Locke. Her initial drive was thwarted, but the Aggies retained possession. On the ensuing inbounds play with just over three seconds remaining, Locke found space and launched a three-point attempt from the wing. The shot missed, but a foul was called on Northeastern’s Yirsy Quéliz as Jamyia Lindsey fought for the offensive rebound. With 0.2 seconds on the clock and her team down by three, Lindsey, a 5-foot-6 guard from Rockingham, North Carolina, stepped to the line needing to make the first free throw to keep hope alive.

Lindsey swished the first. After a Northeastern timeout intended to ice her, she calmly drained the second, cutting the deficit to 81-80. On the intentional miss attempt of the third free throw, a scramble ensued, and the buzzer sounded. However, after official review, it was determined a foul occurred on the rebound attempt, sending Locke back to the line with no time remaining. With the overtime period technically over but the game hanging in the balance, Locke, who played a marathon 45 minutes, sank both pressure-packed free throws to steal an 82-81 victory and send the game to a second overtime.

The wild finish capped a remarkable comeback. Northeastern had dominated early, racing to a 21-10 lead after the first quarter behind Holohan and Quéliz, who had 19 points. The Aggies chipped away, using a 20-point second quarter to close the gap to 31-30 at halftime. The teams traded blows throughout the second half, with North Carolina A&T finally taking its first lead since the opening minute late in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter featured seven lead changes. Northeastern appeared to seize control when Quéliz hit a three-pointer with 10 seconds left to give the Huskies a 72-69 lead. But the Aggies’ D’Mya Tucker, who led her team with 21 points, was fouled on a three-point attempt with 0.9 seconds remaining. The sophomore from Orangeburg, South Carolina, made the first two free throws, then intentionally missed the third. The carom was tipped, and Paris Locke grabbed the loose ball and scored a putback as time expired to tie the game at 72 and force the first overtime.

In the second overtime, defense took over. The only field goal for either team in the final five-minute period was a layup by Northeastern’s Justice Tramble, who finished with 16 points, at the 4:35 mark. The Huskies would not score again. With the game tied at 83, North Carolina A&T’s Locke drove for the go-ahead layup with 10 seconds remaining. Northeastern had two final chances, but a driving attempt by Holohan was off the mark, and a last-second tip attempt failed, securing the one-point victory for the Aggies.

Locke’s all-around performance was crucial, finishing with 14 points and a game-high eight assists. Lindsey added 16 points and four assists for North Carolina A&T. For Northeastern, Collins supported Holohan and Quéliz with 18 points.

North Carolina A&T continues its road trip at Stony Brook on Sunday. Northeastern remains at home to host Monmouth, also on Sunday.