LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots than makes, the Campbell women’s basketball team eked out a 45-43 victory over William & Mary in a Colonial Athletic Association contest Sunday at John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center.

The game, witnessed by 873 fans, saw both teams combine to shoot just 25.9% from the field. Campbell improved to 10-7 overall, while William & Mary fell to 8-7.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final minute with the outcome hanging in the balance. Trailing 43-41, Campbell’s Ciara Alexander converted a layup with 1 minute, 18 seconds remaining to tie the game at 43. On the ensuing William & Mary possession, Alexander then blocked a jump shot attempt by the Tribe’s Cassidy Geddes, secured the defensive rebound, and immediately scored another layup to put the Fightin’ Camels ahead 45-43 with 1:01 left.

William & Mary had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead in the closing moments but could not convert. A missed jump shot by Marley Long was followed by a critical turnover from Alexa Mikeska with 18 seconds left, giving Campbell possession. After a shot clock violation gave the Tribe one final chance with 4.4 seconds remaining, Geddes’ contested three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sealing the narrow win for the home team.

The contest was a grind from the opening tip. The first quarter ended in a 7-7 deadlock, and Campbell took a 22-17 lead into halftime after outscoring the Tribe 15-10 in the second period. William & Mary found a rhythm after the break, using a 14-10 third-quarter advantage to close the gap to 32-31 heading into the final frame.

Geddes led all scorers with 18 points for William & Mary, though she needed 27 shots from the field to reach that total. Natalie Fox added 8 points and 8 rebounds. For Campbell, Gianni Boone and Jasmine Felton each scored 10 points, with Boone adding 9 rebounds. N’na Konate anchored the defense with 3 blocks.

The statistical sheet underscored the offensive woes for both sides. William & Mary shot a frigid 16 for 63 from the field, including 1 for 18 from three-point range. Campbell was only marginally better at 16 for 53 overall and 3 for 13 from beyond the arc. The Fightin’ Camels compensated by forcing 14 William & Mary turnovers and blocking 6 shots, while also holding a slight 22-18 edge in points in the paint.

William & Mary’s defense was equally disruptive, generating 9 steals and forcing 14 Campbell turnovers, which led to 9 points. The Tribe also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 17 rebounds to Campbell’s 15, but managed only 9 second-chance points.

The victory allowed Campbell to defy the pregame metrics, which heavily favored the Fightin’ Camels, and secure a pivotal conference win in a tightly contested battle. William & Mary, which has now lost three of its last four games, will look to rebound when it hosts Hampton on Friday. Campbell travels to face Northeastern on the same night.