JERSEY CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference clash where points were at a premium, the Marist women’s basketball team erased a double-digit deficit and held off a late rally to edge Saint Peter’s 48-45 on Thursday night at Yanitelli Center.

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Red Foxes, who improved to 11-18 overall and 8-11 in the MAAC. The Peacocks, who led for nearly 30 minutes of game time, fell to 7-21 and 5-14.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute, a tense culmination of a contest defined by stops and struggles. Trailing 45-44 with 33 seconds remaining, Marist executed a decisive play out of a timeout. Justine Henry, who led all scorers with 14 points, drove into the lane and dished to a cutting Ciara Croker for a layup, putting the Red Foxes ahead 46-45.

Saint Peter’s called its own timeout with 29 seconds left to set up a final shot. The Peacocks worked the ball to Louella Allana, but her floating jumper in the lane missed. Marist’s Chloe Escanillas secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled with 11 seconds on the clock.

The ensuing inbounds play proved pivotal. Marist’s Lexie Tarul was fouled by Nikola Zdenkova and sent to the line for two shots with eight seconds left. Tarul missed the first free throw, but a lane violation was called on Saint Peter’s, giving her a second chance. She calmly sank the re-take, extending Marist’s lead to 47-45.

Saint Peter’s had one final opportunity, inbounding under its own basket with 4.4 seconds left. The play was designed for De’Naya Rippey, but her contested 3-point attempt from the wing as time expired missed everything, sealing the narrow victory for the visitors.

The game’s conclusion was a stark contrast to its beginning. Saint Peter’s dominated the first quarter, racing out to a 17-6 lead behind eight early points from Carys Roy. The Peacocks’ defense stifled Marist, holding the Red Foxes to 2-of-13 shooting in the opening period.

Marist began its methodical climb back in the second quarter, outscoring Saint Peter’s 15-12 to trim the halftime deficit to 29-21. The comeback was fueled by defense, as the Red Foxes held the Peacocks to just five points in the third quarter, tying a season-low for a quarter by a Marist opponent. An 11-5 edge in the frame brought Marist within two points entering the final period.

The fourth quarter featured five lead changes. Saint Peter’s briefly regained a five-point advantage at 42-37 after a Nikola Zdenkova 3-pointer with 5:34 to play. Marist responded with a 7-0 run, capped by Croker’s layup off a Julia Corsentino assist with 2:26 left, to take a 44-42 lead. Zdenkova answered again for the Peacocks with a pull-up jumper to tie it at 44, setting the stage for the frantic final minute.

Justine Henry of Long Island, N.Y., was the engine for Marist, adding two assists and two steals to her team-high 14 points in 39 minutes. Lexie Tarul of the Bronx contributed 12 points, two assists, two steals and a block. Ciara Croker of New Rochelle, N.Y., provided crucial interior scoring with 10 points, all coming in the second half.

Saint Peter’s was led by Carys Roy of Cowbridge, Germany, who finished with 13 points. Nikola Zdenkova of Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, added 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Louella Allana of Laval, Canada, facilitated the offense with five assists.

Both teams struggled offensively throughout. The game featured a combined 43 turnovers and 22 total assists. Saint Peter’s scored 17 points in the first quarter but managed only 28 over the final three periods.

The win gave Marist a regular-season sweep of the Peacocks, having also won 56-53 in Poughkeepsie on Feb. 7. It also provided a measure of relief for a Red Foxes squad that had lost three straight games, each by five points or fewer, including an overtime defeat to Manhattan.

An announced crowd of 279 at the Yanitelli Center witnessed the defensive struggle. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Saint Peter’s with a 53.3% probability to win.

Marist will look to build on the victory quickly, traveling to face Siena on Saturday. Saint Peter’s will head to Manhattan for its next contest, also on Saturday.