POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a single, staggering quarter, the Marist women’s basketball team survived a second-half collapse and a relentless effort from the conference’s last-place team to secure a 60-53 victory over Canisius on Thursday night at McCann Recreation Center.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference contest, played before an intimate crowd of 508, appeared to be following a predictable script early. After a tight first quarter that ended with Marist leading 10-9, the Red Foxes unleashed a dominant 24-point second period, holding the visiting Golden Griffins to just nine points. That 15-point swing, fueled by efficient offense and disruptive defense, gave Marist a commanding 34-18 halftime lead and seemed to put the game out of reach.

The pivotal sequence of the game, however, arrived immediately after halftime. The Red Foxes, who had moved the ball with precision and shot 50% from the floor in the second quarter, went ice cold. Marist managed a mere five points in the entire third quarter, tying a program record for offensive futility in a period. Meanwhile, Canisius, which had struggled mightily to generate offense, found a rhythm. The Golden Griffins outscored Marist 19-5 in the frame, cutting a 16-point deficit down to just two points, at 39-37, heading into the final quarter.

The dramatic shift was a product of stark contrasts. Marist committed seven turnovers in the third quarter alone, stifling any offensive flow. Canisius, conversely, began attacking the basket and capitalizing on second chances, powered by forward Yasmine Djibril of Montreal. The 6-foot-1 junior scored eight of her team-high 16 points during the comeback surge.

The fourth quarter evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair. Every time Canisius drew even or pulled within a single possession, Marist found a critical response. After the Golden Griffins tied the game at 43-43 on a Djibril layup with 8:04 remaining, Marist’s Jackie Piddock answered with a clutch 3-pointer. When Canisius again closed to within 50-48, Marist’s Chloe Escanillas connected on another three to push the lead back to five.

Canisius had opportunities in the final minutes but was ultimately undone by the same issues that plagued them all night: turnovers and missed free throws. The Golden Griffins committed 22 turnovers, leading to 19 points for Marist, and shot just 12 for 22 from the foul line. In a seven-point game, those missed chances proved decisive.

Marist was led by a balanced effort. Guard Danielle Williamsen of Staten Island scored a game-high 15 points and dished out five assists, providing steady guard play. Forward Justine Henry of Long Island added 14 points and six rebounds, while Piddock orchestrated the offense with eight assists to go with eight points. Center Ciara Croker of New Rochelle was a force on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds, including five on the offensive end.

For Canisius, Djibril’s 16 points and six rebounds led the way. Shariah Gailes provided a strong interior presence with nine rebounds and seven points, and Irene Rey Pineda added nine points. The Golden Griffins won the rebounding battle 45-38, including a 17-7 advantage on the offensive glass, but could not overcome their offensive inefficiency, shooting just 33.3% from the field.

The win improves Marist to 8-14 overall and provides a measure of relief after several close conference losses. The Red Foxes host Niagara on Saturday. Canisius, which has lost eight of its last nine games, falls to 3-17. The Golden Griffins will look to regroup on the road at Siena on Saturday.

Despite the victory, the game’s most enduring narrative will be the third-quarter meltdown that nearly cost Marist a sure win, and the gritty, unexpected fight from a Canisius team that refused to fold, turning a routine conference game into a dramatic, if ultimately unsuccessful, comeback bid.