ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Interstat) — In a heart-stopping finish befitting a conference tournament setting, the Quinnipiac Bobcats edged the Iona Gaels 63-62 in overtime Sunday in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference women’s basketball quarterfinal at Boardwalk Hall.

The game, a dramatic reversal from Quinnipiac’s 26-point rout of Iona just over two months prior, was decided in the final seconds of the extra period. With the score tied at 61, Quinnipiac’s Anna Foley received a pass from Jackie Grisdale and sank a mid-range jump shot with 27 seconds remaining to put the top-seeded Bobcats ahead for good.

Iona, the tournament’s eighth seed, had two final possessions to answer. The Gaels inbounded with 26 seconds left but turned the ball over. After a Quinnipiac timeout, Iona forced a missed three-pointer and secured the defensive rebound with 3 seconds left. A desperation heave from near half-court was not close, sealing the Bobcats’ narrow escape.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation, setting the stage for the overtime drama. Trailing 57-55, Iona’s Naomi Barnwell secured a defensive rebound with 29 seconds left. The Gaels ran a play for Isabellah Middleton, whose three-point attempt to take the lead missed, but Iona retained possession on a shot clock violation ruling with 28 seconds remaining.

Quinnipiac called a full timeout to set its defense. Out of the break, Iona’s Claudia Fiel inbounded to Barnwell, who found Middleton cutting for a layup to tie the game at 57 with 14 seconds on the clock. Quinnipiac had the final chance in regulation. Karson Martin’s step-back three-point attempt missed, but Ella Ryan grabbed the offensive rebound. Her put-back attempt at the buzzer was off the mark, forcing overtime.

The contest was a tense, back-and-forth affair from the outset. Iona established an early lead, ending the first quarter ahead 14-12 behind the inside-outside combination of Barnwell and Zoey Ward. Quinnipiac responded with an 18-point second quarter, fueled by Ella Ryan’s seven points in the period, to take a 30-24 advantage into halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Iona, specifically Ward and Barnwell. The Gaels erupted for 21 points, with Ward scoring eight and Barnwell adding seven, to reclaim a 45-42 lead heading into the final quarter. The teams traded blows in the fourth, with neither able to build more than a four-point cushion, leading to the climactic final minute.

Barnwell, a junior from France, was spectacular for Iona in defeat, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Ward, a sophomore from Gastonia, North Carolina, recorded a double-double with a game-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Middleton added 11 points and five rebounds.

Quinnipiac’s balance proved vital. Martin, the Bobcats’ guard from Woodstock, Georgia, led her team with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists. Ryan, from Brentwood, Tennessee, provided 15 points and four rebounds, while Foley contributed 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. Ella O’Donnell anchored the interior with 10 rebounds.

Iona’s season ends with a record of 20-11. Quinnipiac, now 26-5, advances to the MAAC semifinals.