STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and offensive droughts, the Stony Brook women’s basketball team overcame a sluggish start to edge North Carolina A&T 56-51 on Sunday at Island Federal Credit Union Arena.

The Seawolves (8-9) trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half but used a decisive third-quarter surge to seize control before holding off a late Aggies rally. North Carolina A&T fell to 6-9 with the loss.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the third quarter. After managing just 22 points in the first half and trailing 24-22 at the break, Stony Brook’s offense ignited. The Seawolves outscored the Aggies 21-15 in the period, transforming a two-point deficit into a four-point lead heading to the final quarter.

Stony Brook’s turnaround was fueled by improved three-point shooting and sustained defensive intensity. After starting the game cold, the Seawolves connected on four three-pointers in the third quarter. Caitlin Frost of Les Coteaux, Canada, hit two of those triples as part of her 15-point, six-rebound, three-block performance. Meanwhile, the Seawolves’ defense forced eight North Carolina A&T turnovers in the second half, finishing the game with 11 steals.

North Carolina A&T had opened the game with authority, sprinting to a 19-13 lead after the first quarter behind early inside baskets from Chaniya Clark of Fort Myers, Florida, who finished with 11 points. However, the Aggies’ offense stalled catastrophically in the second quarter, mustering only five points on 2-of-13 shooting from the floor. That prolonged dry spell allowed Stony Brook to crawl back into the game despite its own offensive struggles.

The Aggies were led by D’Mya Tucker of Orangeburg, South Carolina, with 13 points and Paris Locke of Baltimore, who added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Clark’s 11 points provided an interior presence, but the team’s 6-for-22 shooting from beyond the arc and 16 total turnovers proved costly.

Stony Brook’s backcourt orchestrated the victory. Sandra Frau-Garcia of Pego, Spain, directed the offense with 12 points, eight assists and five rebounds, though she also committed eight turnovers. Chloe Oliver of Montreal provided a crucial spark off the bench with 12 points and six rebounds, including a key three-pointer late in the fourth quarter that extended the Seawolves’ lead to five points with 43 seconds remaining.

Defensively, Stony Brook’s length and activity were pivotal. The Seawolves blocked five shots and limited the Aggies to an offensive rating of 79.8 points per 100 possessions. North Carolina A&T held advantages in points in the paint (24-18) and offensive rebounds (8-3), but could not overcome its poor perimeter shooting and the third-quarter swing.

The game remained tense in the final minutes. After Tucker’s three-pointer brought North Carolina A&T within 51-50 with 1:52 to play, the teams traded empty possessions. Oliver’s late three-pointer from the wing pushed Stony Brook’s lead to 54-50. Frau-Garcia then sealed the game at the free-throw line, making two clutch attempts with nine seconds left after being fouled on an inbounds play.

The game was a defensive struggle, with both teams shooting under 40% from the field. Stony Brook finished at 45.5% (20 of 44), aided by its 8-of-15 shooting from three-point range. North Carolina A&T shot 38.9% (21 of 54) and was just 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. The Seawolves also dished out 11 assists to the Aggies’ eight.

Attendance was 454 at Island Federal Credit Union Arena.

North Carolina A&T returns home to face Hampton on Jan. 18. Stony Brook travels to face Hofstra on Jan. 16 before hosting Towson on Jan. 18.