LOWELL, Mass. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle defined by missed shots and critical free throws, the New Hampshire Wildcats outlasted the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks 62-58 in overtime in an America East Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Costello Athletic Center.

The Wildcats, who improved to 8-13 overall, needed a late fourth-quarter surge to force the extra period and then dominated the overtime session to secure the road victory. The River Hawks fell to 6-15.

The game’s most pivotal sequence unfolded in the final minute of regulation and the opening minutes of overtime. Trailing 53-51 with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Massachusetts-Lowell’s Nia Chima grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled. The 6-foot-1 sophomore from Toronto calmly sank both free throws to tie the game. New Hampshire’s ensuing possession resulted in a Maggie Cavanaugh layup with 23 seconds remaining, putting the Wildcats back ahead 55-53.

The River Hawks called a timeout to set up a final play. With three seconds left, Jaini Edmonds launched a potential game-winning three-pointer that missed, but Paris Gilmore secured the offensive rebound. A desperation attempt at the buzzer failed, sending the game to overtime tied at 55.

The overtime period belonged entirely to New Hampshire. The Wildcats’ defense clamped down, holding Massachusetts-Lowell to just one field goal — a Sabrina Larsson three-pointer with 20 seconds left — and five total points in the five-minute frame. New Hampshire, meanwhile, methodically built its lead at the free-throw line. Eva DeChent opened overtime scoring with a free throw, and after a Lucia Melero-assisted layup by DeChent, the Wildcats never trailed.

Cavanaugh, a junior guard from Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, sealed the game from the stripe. Fouled on a drive with 19 seconds left in overtime and her team leading 59-57, she made both free throws. After Larsson’s three cut the deficit to 61-58, Cavanaugh was fouled again and made 1 of 2 with 2 seconds left to provide the final margin.

The contest was an offensive challenge for both teams throughout. New Hampshire shot just 35.4% from the field and a dismal 10% from three-point range. Massachusetts-Lowell was even colder, shooting 30.9% overall. The difference came in paint production and ball security. The Wildcats dominated inside, scoring 42 points in the paint to the River Hawks’ 14, and committed only six turnovers while forcing 11.

DeChent, a junior from Westchester, New York, led New Hampshire with 17 points, including several key baskets down the stretch. Cavanaugh finished with 11 points, three assists and a crucial block in the fourth quarter. A significant spark came off the bench from freshman forward Averie Harding of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, who scored 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting in just eight minutes of action, all in the second half and overtime.

For Massachusetts-Lowell, Edmonds, a sophomore guard from Worcester, Massachusetts, shouldered the offensive load with a game-high 18 points. Chima added 15 points and was a force on the glass, while Larsson, a freshman from Uppsala, Sweden, contributed 12 points.

The game was a tale of contrasting rhythms. New Hampshire started strong with 17 first-quarter points but managed only eight in the second. Massachusetts-Lowell displayed remarkable consistency through three quarters, scoring exactly 15 points in each, but its offense stalled late, managing only eight points in the fourth quarter before its overtime struggles.

Despite the low shooting percentages, both teams were efficient from the free-throw line. Massachusetts-Lowell made 16 of 18 attempts, while New Hampshire hit 15 of 20, with several makes coming under pressure in the extra period.

The win gives New Hampshire a positive start to a key conference stretch, while Massachusetts-Lowell continues to search for consistency in a season of narrow defeats. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Durham on Thursday, Feb. 19.