Did you have +speed in your accessory slots? That might've helped there. Like I had +10 speed minimum on each character. I beat it at 50/49/49 or so with Stocke/Raynie/Marco which while not underleveled I don't think is overleveled either.
I equipped every one I had. I don't go out of my way to level, but I use everything I have on hand for optimal efficiency. Iirc it wasn't even the boss that killed me but the pylon/crystal/thingies on the side that did it <_<
--
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2hsv6ataW1qfu8w8o1_1280.jpg
KrahenProphet and Kana are on opposite ends of the Awesome Spectrum.