NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant start and a grinding, mistake-filled finish, Mariana Valenzuela’s 26 points and clutch free throws in the final seconds lifted Seton Hall to a 64-61 victory over Marquette in a Big East women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Prudential Center.

The Pirates, overcoming a disastrous first quarter, outlasted the Golden Eagles in a defensive struggle where offensive execution was at a premium. The contest turned on Marquette’s inability to protect the basketball and Seton Hall’s ruthless efficiency at the free-throw line.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the final half-minute. With Seton Hall clinging to a 62-61 lead after Marquette’s Jordan Meulemans putback with 14 seconds left, the Pirates’ Savannah Catalon was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play. She calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to three with 13 seconds remaining. Marquette’s final attempt to tie, a rushed 3-pointer from Bridget Utberg, missed as time expired.

The decisive finish was a stark contrast to the opening period. Marquette blitzed Seton Hall from the tip, racing to a 20-9 lead after one quarter. The Golden Eagles’ defense stifled the Pirates, holding them to 9 points on 4-of-16 shooting while forcing five turnovers. Lee Volker and Halle Vice combined for 15 of Marquette’s points in the frame, establishing an early command that seemed to set the tone.

Seton Hall began its methodical climb back in the second quarter, tightening its defense. Marquette’s offense completely stalled, managing only five points in the period on 2-of-12 shooting. The Pirates capitalized, closing the half on a 13-5 run to trim the deficit to just three points, 25-22, at intermission.

The third quarter saw Seton Hall finally seize the lead, using a 10-2 run midway through the period to go ahead 34-31 on a 3-pointer from Valenzuela. The Pirates took a 41-37 lead into the fourth, setting the stage for a tense final act.

Valenzuela, the 6-foot-2 forward from Mazatlan, Mexico, was the offensive constant for Seton Hall, adding three blocks in 32 minutes. Her back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, the latter giving the Pirates a 54-51 lead with 3:24 to play, were pivotal in staving off Marquette’s rallies.

Marquette was led by Volker’s 20 points and Vice’s 19. However, the Golden Eagles were undone by 19 turnovers, which Seton Hall converted into 17 points. The Pirates committed only seven turnovers. Equally telling was the disparity at the foul line, where Seton Hall went 17 for 18 compared to Marquette’s 8 for 9.

Jaidynn Mason dished out nine assists for Marquette but also accounted for seven of her team’s turnovers. Seton Hall’s backcourt of Catalon and Jada Eads combined for 16 points and eight assists while orchestrating a defense that recorded nine steals.

With the win, Seton Hall improves to 12-5 overall. Marquette falls to 11-6. Both teams continue Big East play on Saturday, with Seton Hall traveling to DePaul and Marquette hosting Georgetown.