STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by critical plays in the final minute, the Stony Brook Seawolves edged the Drexel Dragons 57-53 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at Island Federal Credit Union Arena.

The contest, witnessed by 552 fans, saw neither team lead by more than six points, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final seconds. Drexel’s Deja Evans, who dominated the paint with a game-high 20 points, missed a potential tying layup with 42 seconds remaining and the Dragons trailing 55-53.

Stony Brook’s Diaka Berete, who led the Seawolves with 18 points, secured the defensive rebound. After a chaotic sequence that included a shot clock violation on Stony Brook and a Drexel timeout, the Dragons had one final chance. Laine McGurk was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 5 seconds left and her team down four. She made the first free throw, intentionally missed the second, but Drexel could not secure the offensive rebound. Berete was fouled and calmly sank two free throws with 3 seconds left to seal the victory.

The game was a tale of contrasting offensive styles. Stony Brook’s perimeter shooting proved decisive, as they connected on 8 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc. Drexel, meanwhile, managed just 3 of 16 from deep, relying heavily on Evans’ interior presence. The Dragons out-rebounded Stony Brook 13-10 on the offensive glass but were hampered by a 37.7% shooting night from the field.

Drexel established an early rhythm, with Evans scoring six quick points to help the Dragons to an 11-8 lead midway through the first quarter. Stony Brook responded with a 9-2 run, fueled by five points from Berete, to take a 17-13 advantage. The Seawolves carried a 29-24 lead into halftime, thanks in part to a Chloe Oliver 3-pointer in the final minute of the second quarter.

The Dragons surged back in the third quarter, opening the period with an 8-2 run capped by an Evans layup to reclaim a 32-31 lead. The teams traded baskets and leads throughout the frame, with a McGurk 3-pointer giving Drexel a 42-41 edge late. But Stony Brook’s Alex Brown answered with a layup to send the Seawolves into the fourth quarter ahead 43-42.

The final period featured five lead changes. A Janay Brantley 3-pointer put Stony Brook up 46-42, but Drexel clawed back, tying the game at 48 on an Evans layup with 7:18 to play. The Seawolves then delivered the decisive run. A Delaney Cooper 3-pointer and a Brown putback and free throw sparked a 7-0 spurt, giving Stony Brook a 55-48 lead with 4:54 remaining.

Drexel refused to fold. A McGurk 3-pointer and a Mariah Watkins jumper in the paint cut the deficit to 55-53 with 1:17 left, setting the stage for the frantic finish that saw Evans’ miss and Berete’s clinching free throws.

For Drexel, Evans added two blocks to her 20-point effort. Grace O’Neill facilitated the offense with eight assists. McGurk finished with 13 points and Amaris Baker added 10 for the Dragons, who fell to 7-6.

Stony Brook, which improved to 7-9, received a balanced contribution behind Berete. Johanna Potter scored eight points, while Brantley chipped in seven points, four assists and a key late block. Sandra Frau-Garcia added five points and four assists.

The most important part of the game was the final minute, a tense series of missed opportunities for Drexel and composed execution by Stony Brook. After Evans’ point-blank miss to tie, Stony Brook managed the clock under pressure. Though they committed a shot clock violation, their defense held firm on Drexel’s inbounds play, forcing a contested three-point foul rather than a clean look. Berete’s defensive rebound and subsequent free throws under immense pressure were the final, critical actions in a game where every possession carried weight.

Drexel next hosts Hofstra on Sunday. Stony Brook returns to action Sunday at home against North Carolina A&T. The two teams will meet again in a rematch at Drexel on Jan. 23.