LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by rebounding dominance, the College of Charleston women’s basketball team methodically pulled away from Campbell for a 61-49 victory in a Colonial Athletic Association contest Tuesday night at the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.

The Cougars, led by a monumental performance from forward Grace Ezebilo, improved to 18-3 overall and remained near the top of the conference standings. Campbell fell to 14-9.

The most pivotal aspect of the game was Charleston’s overwhelming control of the glass, spearheaded by Ezebilo. The 6-foot-1 junior from Nigeria hauled in a career-high 24 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end, to stifle Campbell’s possessions and fuel Charleston’s methodical offense. Her 24 rebounds were a game-high and provided the Cougars with a staggering number of second-chance opportunities, which proved critical on a night where neither team shot efficiently.

Campbell, led by 17 points from Olivia Tucker of Durham and 14 from Gianni Boone of Washington, D.C., stayed within striking distance for three quarters. The Fightin’ Camels trailed by just four points at halftime, 31-28, and were down 47-42 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter, however, belonged entirely to Charleston’s defense and Ezebilo’s interior presence. Campbell’s offense collapsed, managing only seven points on a series of contested shots and turnovers. The Cougars, meanwhile, sealed the game with a 14-7 quarter, with Ezebilo scoring six of her eight points in the final frame, all coming from in the paint as she capitalized on her own relentless work on the boards.

While Ezebilo’s line was light on scoring, her 24 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 40 minutes were the engine of Charleston’s win. Her recent performances had been quieter offensively, but she reasserted herself as a dominant force in the paint.

She received ample backcourt support. Taylor Barbot of Floral Park, New York, led all scorers with 19 points, while her sister, Taryn Barbot, added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Sophia Tougas of Glens Falls, New York, chipped in 10 points.

For Campbell, Tucker’s 17 points came primarily from beyond the arc, but the team struggled to find consistent offense outside of her and Boone. Jasmine Nivar of Apex added 11 points and six rebounds, but the Fightin’ Camels were outrebounded significantly as a team, a direct result of Ezebilo’s historic night.

The game was a grind from the start, with both teams trading baskets in a low-scoring first quarter that ended with Charleston ahead 17-15. The Cougars maintained a slim lead throughout the second and third quarters, never allowing Campbell to seize momentum, largely due to their rebounding edge and ability to force 18 Campbell turnovers.

The victory extends College of Charleston’s strong run of form as they head into a key Friday night rematch at home against UNC Wilmington. The Cougars have now won four straight and 12 of their last 13 games.

Campbell looks to regroup Sunday when it hosts North Carolina A&T. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Charleston entered the game with a 57.8 percent probability to win, a projection they exceeded with their defensive and rebounding prowess.

The announced attendance at the Pope Convocation Center was 927.