OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless runs and a dramatic late collapse, the Creighton women’s basketball team erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime and ultimately outlasted Marquette 80-74 in a pivotal Big East Conference clash on Sunday at CHI Health Center.

The victory, secured before a crowd of 2,054, leveled Creighton’s season record at 12-12 overall and marked a significant reversal from a 67-49 loss to the Golden Eagles just a month prior. Marquette, which had won four of its last five, fell to 16-8.

The most critical sequence of the contest unfolded in the final minutes of regulation. Marquette, which had led for over 36 minutes of game time and held a 67-57 advantage with under three minutes to play, saw its command disintegrate under a wave of Creighton pressure and self-inflicted errors. The Golden Eagles committed three turnovers in the last two minutes, fueling a decisive 10-0 Creighton run to close the quarter.

Creighton guard Ava Zediker, who finished with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists, ignited the comeback with a driving layup. Following a Marquette turnover, Kennedy Townsend converted another layup to cut the deficit to six. After another Marquette miscue, Zediker was fouled and sank two free throws to make it 67-65 with 1:07 left. Marquette’s ensuing possession ended in a shot-clock violation, and Neleigh Gessert buried a clutch three-pointer from the corner off a Zediker assist with 20 seconds remaining to give Creighton its first lead since the first quarter at 68-67.

Marquette’s Lee Volker had a chance to win it in regulation, but her jumper missed, sending the game to an extra period tied 67-67.

The overtime belonged almost entirely to Creighton, specifically to forward Grace Boffeli. The 6-foot-1 junior from Eldridge, Iowa, who dominated throughout with 23 points and 14 rebounds, scored six of her team’s 13 points in the extra session. Her layup off a Zediker assist 30 seconds into overtime gave Creighton a lead it would not relinquish. Marquette, visibly fatigued and out of rhythm, managed just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting in overtime and committed two more turnovers.

Boffeli’s performance was a tour de force, particularly on the glass where she grabbed five offensive rebounds. Her activity inside was the cornerstone of a Creighton effort that produced a 44-36 advantage in points in the paint and a crucial 11-5 edge in offensive rebounds, leading to 13 second-chance points.

The game’s narrative was one of starkly contrasting efficiency. Despite both teams making 29 field goals, Creighton maximized its opportunities. The Bluejays committed only seven turnovers, which Marquette converted into just eight points. Conversely, Creighton’s defense forced 14 Marquette turnovers and capitalized ruthlessly, scoring 23 points off them. Creighton also held a significant advantage at the free-throw line, making 17 of 23 attempts compared to Marquette’s 11 of 14.

Marquette was led by a strong performance from forward Skylar Forbes, who scored 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Halle Vice added 15 points and eight rebounds, playing all but one minute of the contest. Jaidynn Mason contributed 11 points and six assists, but also had six of Marquette’s turnovers.

For Creighton, support for Boffeli and Zediker came from Allison Heathcock, who scored nine points, all from the free-throw line, including four critical makes in the final 18 seconds of overtime to seal the victory.

The game began at a pace favorable to the visitors. Marquette shot a blistering 60% from the field in the first quarter, led by Forbes’ nine early points, to build a 21-14 lead. The Golden Eagles maintained a cushion for most of the first three quarters, answering every Creighton push. A Forbes layup late in the third gave Marquette its largest lead at 56-46, and they carried a 58-52 advantage into the final period.

Creighton’s defensive intensity, however, never wavered. The Bluejays held Marquette to 5-of-13 shooting in the fourth quarter while forcing five turnovers, setting the stage for the game-altering final rally.

The win provides a major boost for Creighton as it navigates the second half of the conference schedule, while Marquette will look to regroup from a defeat that highlighted its struggles with ball security and closing out games on the road.

Creighton next travels to face Connecticut on Wednesday. Marquette returns home to host Seton Hall on the same night.