DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — The Stonehill Skyhawks, propelled by a dominant fourth-quarter surge, overcame a second-half deficit to defeat the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 74-68 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Friday afternoon at the 2025-26 Holiday Hoops event.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the final minutes, as Stonehill erased a five-point deficit with a decisive 12-2 run. Trailing 61-59 with under three minutes to play, the Skyhawks clamped down defensively and executed flawlessly at the free-throw line. Ella Pelletier ignited the run with a driving layup and a converted free throw to put Stonehill ahead for good. Julia Webster followed with a clutch jump shot, and Brooke Paquette sank four critical free throws in the final 36 seconds to seal the victory, part of a game-high 18-point performance for the guard from Hudson, New Hampshire.

Stonehill (4-5) appeared in control early, racing to a 22-11 lead after the first quarter behind sharp perimeter shooting and active defense. However, Bethune-Cookman (2-9) responded with physical play in the paint, outscoring the Skyhawks 38-26 across the second and third quarters to seize momentum. The Wildcats’ interior dominance was a constant theme, as they finished with a 42-26 advantage in points in the paint.

The Wildcats took their largest lead at 49-44 late in the third quarter following a 3-pointer from Keiara Gregory. Stonehill’s offense, which had stagnated after the first quarter, found its rhythm again in the final period, exploding for 26 points. The Skyhawks’ backcourt of Paquette and Pelletier, who finished with 17 points and four assists, consistently broke down the Wildcats’ defense, while Webster provided a crucial interior presence, also scoring 17 points.

Bethune-Cookman was led by Kailyn Peters of Houston, Texas, who scored 15 points, and Daimoni Dorsey of Baltimore, Maryland, who added 13. The Wildcats capitalized on Stonehill’s turnovers, scoring 18 points off them, but were ultimately undone by their own miscues and Stonehill’s late-game poise at the charity stripe. Tyler Butler anchored the Wildcats’ defense with three blocks.

Stonehill’s Emma Arcà of Rome, Italy, facilitated the offense with a game-high seven assists. The Skyhawks’ ability to weather Bethune-Cookman’s comeback attempt and close strongly on the road provided a positive note as they continue a challenging stretch of nonconference play.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 575 at a neutral site in DeLand. Stonehill will face a quick turnaround, playing Stetson in DeLand on Saturday. Bethune-Cookman also remains in DeLand to host William & Mary on Saturday.