DE WITT, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle that required an extra period to decide, the Cornell women’s basketball team edged Le Moyne 52-51 in overtime Saturday at Ted Grant Court.

The game was a back-and-forth affair characterized more by grit than offensive fireworks. Neither team led by more than five points at any stage, and the outcome remained in doubt until the final second.

Cornell, known as the Big Red, improved its season record to 3-3 with the narrow victory. The Le Moyne Dolphins, playing on their home floor, fell to 1-4.

The contest was ultimately decided by a single point in the extra frame. Le Moyne’s Eli Clark gave the Dolphins a 51-50 lead with a clutch three-pointer with just under two minutes remaining in overtime. Cornell answered on its next possession, as Audrey Chen drove for a layup to put the Big Red back in front 52-51.

Le Moyne had multiple opportunities to reclaim the lead in the final 90 seconds. A critical offensive foul on Ashley Buragas with 19 seconds left gave possession back to Cornell. The Dolphins got one final chance after a missed Cornell jumper, but Clark’s pull-up jumper as time expired failed to connect, sealing the victory for the visitors.

Chen, a guard from South Pasadena, California, led all Cornell scorers with 14 points, including the decisive basket in overtime. Teammate Rachel Kaus, a forward from Lake Bluff, Illinois, also scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds while playing the entire 40 minutes.

For Le Moyne, Clark, a guard from Oakhurst, New Jersey, was the game’s high scorer, finishing with 17 points, fueled by five three-pointers. Buragas, a forward from Hopewell Junction, New York, recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sierra Linnin added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Dolphins.

The game was a tale of contrasting efficiencies. Cornell struggled mightily from the free-throw line, converting only one of three attempts. Le Moyne was more proficient, making seven of nine. However, the Big Red capitalized on Le Moyne’s mistakes, scoring 17 points off 15 Dolphins turnovers, while Le Moyne managed just 10 points off nine Cornell turnovers.

The teams traded small leads throughout regulation. Cornell took a 24-23 edge into halftime, but Le Moyne clung to a 45-42 lead with under a minute to play in the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Chen with 10 seconds left in regulation tied the game at 45 and forced the overtime period.

Both teams struggled from the field, with Cornell shooting 22 for 59 and Le Moyne making 18 of 50 attempts. The Big Red held a slight advantage in points in the paint, 26-20.

Kelsey Langston of Cornell was a steadying presence, playing a game-high 43 minutes and contributing five rebounds and two assists. Clarke Jackson added nine points and five rebounds for the Big Red.

The announced attendance was 414. Cornell’s next game is at home against Siena on Wednesday. Le Moyne travels to face Bucknell on Tuesday.