PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — In a critical late-season Big East clash defined by a suffocating defensive stand, the Marquette women’s basketball team escaped the Dunkin’ Center with a 69-65 victory over Providence on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The Golden Eagles, who led for nearly the entire contest, saw a 15-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate before locking down the Friars in the final minute to secure the win. The victory improved Marquette to 18-11 overall, while Providence fell to 14-17.

The game’s decisive sequence came in the final 20 seconds with Marquette clinging to a 67-65 lead. After a turnover by Marquette’s Lee Volker gave Providence possession with a chance to tie or take the lead, the Friars’ Sabou Gueye missed a layup in traffic. Gueye secured her own offensive rebound but missed a frantic second-chance attempt at the rim. Marquette’s Jaidynn Mason corralled the defensive board with 2 seconds left and was immediately fouled, sealing the outcome from the free-throw line.

The frantic finish capped a game that Marquette appeared to have firmly in hand. The Golden Eagles built their advantage with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Friars 21-8 to turn a 37-38 halftime edge into a 59-45 lead entering the final period. Marquette’s defense forced Providence into a series of difficult shots and turnovers during that pivotal stretch.

Providence mounted a fierce comeback in the fourth, spearheaded by Gueye and Orlagh Gormley. The Friars unleashed a 20-8 run, capitalizing on Marquette turnovers and cold shooting. A driving layup by Gueye with 56 seconds remaining cut the deficit to 67-65, setting the stage for the dramatic final defensive stand by the Golden Eagles.

Marquette was led by a stellar performance from Skylar Forbes. The 6-foot-3 junior from Markham, Canada, scored a game-high 24 points, including several key baskets to stem Providence rallies. She added three assists and a crucial block in the final minute. Lee Volker, a 6-1 guard from Purcellville, Virginia, provided vital support with 15 points, often hitting shots when the Marquette offense stalled.

For Providence, Sabou Gueye was relentless. The senior guard from Dakar, Senegal, played all 40 minutes, scoring 20 points, dishing five assists and recording three blocks. Orlagh Gormley of Quincy, Massachusetts, added 10 points and five assists, while Payton Dunbar of Narrows, Virginia, chipped in 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

The game began at a brisk pace, with Marquette taking a 23-22 lead after a first quarter that featured five ties. The Golden Eagles maintained a narrow 38-37 advantage at halftime despite Providence dominating points in the paint, 38-20 for the game. Marquette’s ability to generate 14 points off Friars’ turnovers proved a key counterbalance.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Marquette, which defeated Providence 78-61 on Feb. 4. It also provided a measure of momentum for the Golden Eagles heading into the conference tournament after a recent stretch that included a 64-39 loss at Villanova.

For Providence, the loss encapsulated a season of narrow setbacks, dropping the Friars below .500 with the postseason looming. The team’s late rally showcased its resilience but ultimately fell short against Marquette’s final-minute defensive resolve.