NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit over grace, the Saint John’s Red Storm survived a furious second-half rally from the Hofstra Pride to escape with a 63-60 victory in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Carnesecca Arena.

The contest pitted a Saint John’s team (10-2) navigating the upper tier of the Big East against a Hofstra squad (2-7) desperate for a signature win. For three quarters, the script followed expectations, with the Red Storm leveraging their defensive discipline and efficiency at the free-throw line to build a commanding lead. But the final period delivered a tension-filled drama that saw the Pride claw back from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to briefly tie the game in the closing minute, only to fall short on the final possession.

Saint John’s established control early, closing the first quarter on an 8-0 run to lead 18-9. They extended that advantage to 34-19 at halftime, capitalizing on Hofstra’s frigid 8-for-30 shooting from the field in the first half. The Red Storm’s formula was clear: defend without fouling, challenge every shot, and convert at the charity stripe. They attempted 24 free throws, making 21, while Hofstra managed just 14 attempts.

The Pride, however, refused to capitulate. Led by the dynamic play of sophomore forward Sandra Magolico, who finished with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, Hofstra found its rhythm after the break. A 9-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, capped by a Magolico-assisted layup from Alarice Gooden, cut the deficit to 51-45 with 9:35 to play.

Saint John’s responded, with Kylie Lavelle and Brooke Moore combining for key buckets to push the lead back to 58-50 with just over two minutes remaining. But Hofstra’s pressure defense, which generated nine turnovers and seven steals, created one last opportunity. Trailing 61-58 with 17 seconds left, Hofstra’s Chloe Sterling found Ema Karim for a clutch 3-pointer from the wing to tie the game at 61, sending a jolt through the crowd of 881.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 12 seconds. After the tie, Saint John’s inbounded the ball to Shaulana Wagner, who was fouled by Sandra Magolico. Wagner calmly sank both free throws to put the Red Storm ahead 63-61. Hofstra called a timeout to advance the ball and set up a final play. The inbounds pass went to Sterling, whose driving layup attempt over traffic rimmed out. Saint John’s secured the defensive rebound and, after being fouled, missed the ensuing free throw, but Hofstra’s desperation heave from beyond half-court was off target as time expired.

The statistical sheet underscored the contrasting styles. Hofstra dominated the interior, outscoring Saint John’s 32-16 in the paint and grabbing 13 offensive rebounds to the Red Storm’s four. The Pride also dished out seven assists to Saint John’s three. Yet, the Red Storm’s superior shooting from distance—8 of 26 from 3-point range to Hofstra’s 5 of 15—and their near-perfect free-throw performance proved the decisive margin.

For Saint John’s, Lavelle matched Magolico with 17 points, while Moore added 13 and Janeya Grant provided a crucial spark off the bench with 12 points, including a key 3-pointer late. Hofstra’s Sterling filled the stat sheet with nine points, six rebounds and four assists, and Deivejon Harris contributed eight points and five rebounds in just 13 minutes.

The victory extends Saint John’s winning streak to three games as they prepare for a road test at New Haven on Wednesday. Hofstra, despite the heartbreaking loss, showed significant resilience after a difficult start to the season and will look to build on that momentum when they visit Albany on Dec. 21.