BOSTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and critical mistakes, the Boston University Terriers edged the Colgate Raiders 58-54 in a Patriot League women’s basketball contest Saturday at Agganis Arena.

The victory, witnessed by 584 fans, improved Boston University to 7-12 overall, while Colgate fell to 5-13 in a matchup of teams seeking traction in conference play.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final chaotic minute, a sequence of turnovers, fouls, and clutch free throws that ultimately decided the outcome. With Boston University clinging to a 51-50 lead and 44 seconds remaining, Colgate’s Amarah Streiff committed a turnover, her fifth of the game, which was stolen by Boston University’s Rose Azmoudeh. The Terriers called a full timeout to advance the ball.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Colgate’s defense fouled Anete Adler, sending the 6-foot-5 forward to the line. Adler made the first free throw but missed the second. However, Aoibhe Gormley secured the offensive rebound for Boston University, a pivotal play that forced Colgate to foul again with 29 seconds left.

The Raiders then committed a critical tactical error. After another Boston University timeout, Colgate fouled Laila Hankerson on the inbounds pass, sending Anastasiia Semenova to the line for two shots with 28 seconds remaining and her team leading by just three. Semenova made both free throws, extending the lead to 54-50.

Colgate’s ensuing possession resulted in a missed jump shot by Grace Klag, but the Raiders retained possession on an offensive rebound. With 15 seconds left, Boston University’s Bella McLaughlin fouled Ella Meabon, sending her to the line for two shots. Meabon missed the first but made the second, trimming the deficit to 54-51.

Colgate immediately fouled again, sending Semenova back to the line with 12 seconds on the clock. She calmly sank both free throws, pushing the lead to 56-51 and effectively sealing the game. A last-second 3-pointer by Meabon as time expired provided the final margin.

The frantic finish capped a game where Boston University’s ability to capitalize on Colgate’s errors proved decisive. The Terriers scored 15 points off 13 Raiders turnovers, while Colgate managed only 3 points off 9 Boston University giveaways. The Terriers also attempted 16 free throws, making 12, compared to Colgate’s 11 attempts and 8 makes.

The game was a defensive struggle from the outset, with both teams posting nearly identical and inefficient offensive ratings. Colgate scored 54 points on 53 possessions (101.5 offensive rating), while Boston University managed 58 points on 58 possessions (100.7 offensive rating). The Terriers shot 20 of 52 from the field (38.5%), slightly worse than Colgate’s 19 of 48 (39.6%), but made two more 3-pointers and four more free throws.

Boston University was led by its frontcourt duo of Anete Adler and Anastasiia Semenova, who each scored 16 points. Adler, a forward from Keila, Estonia, added two assists and a block in 31 minutes. Semenova, from St. Petersburg, Russia, played 35 minutes and was perfect from the free throw line in the final minute. Guard Rose Azmoudeh provided a key spark off the bench with 14 points in 27 minutes, including three 3-pointers.

Colgate was paced by guard Ella Meabon, who scored 13 points and dished out five assists in 36 minutes. Forward Grace Klag also scored 14 points and grabbed multiple offensive rebounds. Guard Madison Schiller contributed 9 points and a game-high 6 assists over 38 minutes.

The game was a typical Patriot League battle, with neither team leading by more than eight points. Colgate held a narrow 24-26 halftime lead after outscoring Boston University 14-13 in the second quarter. The Terriers responded by winning the third quarter 13-13 and the decisive fourth quarter 19-17, fueled by their defense and late-game composure at the foul line.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Boston University entered with a 56.9% probability to win, a projection they narrowly fulfilled in a contest that came down to the final possessions.

Both teams return to Patriot League action Wednesday. Boston University travels to face Navy in Annapolis, while Colgate visits Holy Cross in Worcester.