CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the College of Charleston women’s basketball team to a decisive victory over Stony Brook on Thursday night at TD Arena, solidifying its position near the top of the conference standings as the regular season nears its conclusion.

The Cougars, now 23-5, outscored the visiting Seawolves 26-9 in the pivotal third period, turning a narrow 27-24 halftime lead into an insurmountable 53-33 advantage. The 66-43 final score reflected a game that was competitive for twenty minutes before the home team’s offensive firepower and defensive pressure took over.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably the third-quarter explosion by College of Charleston. After a first half characterized by poor shooting from both sides—the teams combined to shoot under 30% from the field—the Cougars found their rhythm immediately after the break. They opened the second half on a 14-4 run, fueled by transition opportunities created by their defense. Stony Brook, which finished the game with 13 turnovers and only two assists, had no offensive answer, managing just nine points in the quarter on 3-of-13 shooting.

Taryn Barbot, a sophomore guard from Floral Park, New York, led all scorers with 21 points for College of Charleston. She was instrumental in the third-quarter run, hitting a pair of three-pointers during the surge. Her backcourt partner, Taylor Barbot, also from Floral Park, orchestrated the offense with a game-high seven assists to go with six points. The duo’s playmaking and scoring overwhelmed the Seawolves’ perimeter defense.

Grace Ezebilo provided a formidable interior presence for the Cougars, recording a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive glass. Her activity helped Charleston to a dominant 19-10 advantage in offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points. Sophia Tougas added eight points, and reserve Naylee Cortes provided a spark off the bench with seven points in just seven minutes.

For Stony Brook, which fell to 17-13, the offensive struggles were comprehensive. The Seawolves shot 30% from the field, 24% from three-point range, and just 47% from the free-throw line. Their offensive rating of 71.5 points per 100 possessions underscored a night of stagnant ball movement and forced shots.

Diaka Berete, a guard from Toronto, was the lone bright spot for the Seawolves, scoring 14 points. Forward Caitlin Frost added nine points. The team managed only two assists total, a season-low, against eight turnovers forced by an active Charleston defense that also registered eight steals.

The game began as a defensive slog, with both teams combining for more turnovers than field goals for much of the first quarter. The score was tied 12-12 after one period, and Charleston held a slim three-point edge at halftime. The contest’s complexion changed entirely after the intermission, as the Cougars’ defensive intensity ramped up, converting Stony Brook’s mistakes into easy baskets at the other end.

The victory keeps College of Charleston in strong contention for a high seed in the upcoming conference tournament, while Stony Brook will look to regroup in its regular-season finale. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Charleston entered the game with an 85.90 percent probability to win, a forecast borne out by their second-half performance.

An announced crowd of 410 at TD Arena saw the Cougars improve to 14-1 at home this season. Stony Brook concludes its regular season on the road at Campbell on Saturday. College of Charleston travels to face North Carolina A&T, also on Saturday.