BOCA RATON, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit over grace, the Florida Atlantic Owls escaped with a 66-65 overtime victory over the Wright State Raiders in a non-conference women’s basketball thriller on Friday afternoon at FAU Gymnasium.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 731, was a tale of two halves and a final period where neither team led by more than a single possession. Ultimately, a late free throw proved the difference in a game where both teams struggled to find consistent offensive footing.

Wright State, which fell to 4-4 with the loss, controlled the tempo for much of the first half, taking a 24-17 lead into the locker room. The Raiders’ defense stifled the Owls, holding them to just eight points in the second quarter.

The script flipped dramatically after halftime. Florida Atlantic, now 4-3, erupted for 20 points in the third quarter, spearheaded by a more aggressive offensive approach and dominance on the offensive glass. The Owls outscored the Raiders by 12 in the period to seize a 37-36 lead, setting the stage for a back-and-forth final quarter.

Neither team could create separation in the fourth quarter, with the lead changing hands multiple times. The Raiders had a chance to win in regulation, but a final shot would not fall, sending the game to an extra period tied at 56.

The overtime period was a microcosm of the entire game: a defensive struggle with every basket contested. With the game tied at 65 and just six seconds remaining, Florida Atlantic’ Grace Carstensen was fouled and sent to the line. She missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second to put the Owls ahead by one.

Wright State called a timeout to advance the ball, but their ensuing inbounds play resulted in a turnover, sealing the narrow victory for the home team.

The game was statistically ugly, a fact underscored by the final scores. Wright State shot just 39.7 percent from the field and a crippling 57.1 percent from the free-throw line, missing 12 attempts. Florida Atlantic was not much better, shooting 33.8 percent from the field and a dismal 20 percent from three-point range, but they capitalized on their opportunities at the line, making 16 of 25.

The Owls’ victory was fueled by a monumental rebounding effort, particularly on the offensive end. They hauled in 21 offensive rebounds, compared to just seven for Wright State, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities. Haley Walker was instrumental in this effort, pulling down 11 rebounds for Florida Atlantic.

Offensively, the Raiders were led by the formidable duo of Breezie Williams and Claire Henson. Williams, a 5-foot-5 guard from Canton, Ohio, logged 36 minutes, scoring 18 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Henson, a 5-10 guard from Germantown, Ohio, also played 36 minutes, leading all scorers with 19 points while also collecting nine rebounds. Lauren Scott added 15 points in a full 40 minutes of action.

Florida Atlantic’s attack was more balanced. Madi Gewirtz of Gilbert, Arizona, scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds and recorded two blocks. Destyne Jackson from Lexington, Kentucky, and Michiyah Simmons of Pompano Beach, Florida, each contributed 12 points. Vivian Onugha, from Lagos, Nigeria, was a force inside with eight points and nine rebounds in just 13 minutes of play.

Wright State’s defense was active, forcing 20 Florida Atlantic turnovers and recording 12 steals, but they could not overcome their own offensive inefficiency and the Owls’ relentless work on the boards. The loss marks the Raiders’ second overtime defeat of the young season.

Both teams return to the court quickly, with Wright State scheduled to face Air Force and Florida Atlantic set to travel to face Western Kentucky in their next contests.