NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed shots and crucial free throws, the Fordham Rams outlasted the Stony Brook Seawolves 58-52 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at a sparsely attended Rose Hill Gym.

The game was a tale of two halves, with Stony Brook establishing an early lead before Fordham mounted a sustained comeback to secure the victory in front of 392 fans.

Stony Brook controlled the opening quarter, capitalizing on a frigid start from the Rams. The Seawolves’ defense held Fordham to just eight points in the period, building a 15-8 lead. The momentum began to shift decisively in the second quarter as the Rams found their footing. Fordham outscored Stony Brook 17-13 before halftime, erasing the deficit and taking a 25-28 lead into the break.

The second half saw Fordham maintain its narrow advantage through a combination of offensive rebounding and trips to the free-throw line. While both teams struggled from the field all night, the Rams secured 14 offensive rebounds, creating valuable second-chance opportunities. The game remained a one-possession affair deep into the fourth quarter until Fordham sealed the win at the charity stripe in the final minute.

Alexis Black led all scorers with 20 points for Fordham, adding six rebounds and four assists. Her backcourt presence was instrumental in the Rams’ second-half execution. Ornella Niankan provided a crucial interior presence for the Rams, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

Stony Brook was led by Diaka Berete, who came off the bench to score 13 points. Sandra Frau-Garcia, a 5-foot-7 guard from Pego, Spain, facilitated the offense with a game-high seven assists to go with eight points and five rebounds in 39 minutes of action. Janay Brantley, from Catskill, New York, contributed eight points and six rebounds for the Seawolves.

The game was ultimately decided by offensive inefficiency and free-throw shooting. Stony Brook shot just 29.1 percent from the floor and 17.6 percent from three-point range. Fordham was only marginally better, shooting 32.7 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from beyond the arc. The difference came at the free-throw line, where Fordham attempted 30 free throws, making 20, while Stony Brook went a more efficient 17 for 19 but had far fewer opportunities.

Fordham’s Emma Wilson-Saltos, a Bronx native, dominated the glass with 10 rebounds despite scoring only six points. Both teams committed a high number of turnovers, with Fordham giving the ball away 19 times and Stony Brook 16 times.

With the win, Fordham improved its season record to 3-1. The Rams are scheduled to play next at Buffalo on Sunday. Stony Brook’s record evened at 2-2 with the loss. The Seawolves will look to rebound on the road at Marist next Wednesday.