WEST HAVEN, Conn. (Interstat) — Jabri Fitzpatrick scored a game-high 29 points and the New Haven Chargers used a balanced and persistent defensive effort to pull away from the Stonehill Skyhawks for a 64-51 victory in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Charger Gymnasium.

A crowd of 776 saw the Chargers sweep the season series, having also defeated Stonehill by 15 points on Jan. 2. The win improved New Haven to 12-15 overall, while Stonehill fell to 8-19.

The most important part of the game was New Haven’s sustained defensive pressure, which never allowed Stonehill to establish any consistent offensive rhythm. The Skyhawks were held to just 21 points in the second half and their 51 total points marked their second-lowest output of the conference season. The Chargers, meanwhile, displayed remarkable scoring consistency, posting 32 points in each half.

Fitzpatrick, a guard from North Brunswick, New Jersey, was the catalyst, adding to a string of strong recent performances. He played 37 minutes, shooting efficiently from the field and the free-throw line to lead all scorers. His backcourt mate, Kheni Briggs of Kannapolis, North Carolina, chipped in 8 points and 4 assists, often serving as the primary distributor.

The Chargers’ frontcourt provided crucial support. Najimi George, a forward from Bridgeport, Connecticut, was a force on both ends, contributing 14 points, 2 assists and 2 blocks. His activity defensively and on the glass helped stifle Stonehill’s interior attempts. Forward Teshaun Steele of Worcester, Massachusetts, added 7 points and a block off the bench, providing valuable energy and finishing around the rim.

Stonehill was led by Chas Stinson of Charlotte, North Carolina, who finished with 13 points. Rex Sunderland of Kaysville, Utah, and Ethan Meuser of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, each added 8 points. The Skyhawks struggled from the perimeter throughout the contest and could not mount a significant run after halftime.

The game began at a deliberate pace, with both teams trading baskets early. Stonehill’s Ethan Meuser opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, but New Haven responded with a 7-0 spurt, capped by a Fitzpatrick three-pointer assisted by George. The Skyhawks stayed within reach for much of the first half, tying the game at 20 on a Davante Hackett layup with just over eight minutes remaining before intermission.

However, New Haven closed the first period with a critical 12-4 run to establish a 32-30 halftime lead. The sequence was highlighted by defensive stops and timely scoring from Fitzpatrick and George, who connected on a 3-pointer in the final three minutes. The Chargers carried that momentum directly into the second half, opening with a 5-0 burst to extend their lead to seven points.

Stonehill never got closer than five points the rest of the way. Every time the Skyhawks showed a sign of life, New Haven had an answer, usually from Fitzpatrick or through a defensive play. A key sequence occurred midway through the second half when, leading by six, the Chargers forced consecutive Stonehill turnovers, converting them into fast-break layups by Fitzpatrick to push the advantage to 48-39 and force a Stonehill timeout.

The Skyhawks’ offense grew increasingly stagnant as the clock wound down, hampered by the Chargers’ switching defenses and shot-blocking presence. New Haven sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minute, with Fitzpatrick sinking four consecutive attempts.

The victory keeps New Haven in the middle of the NEC standings as the regular season enters its final stretch. The Chargers will travel to face Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday. Stonehill, still seeking consistency, will look to regroup quickly as they return home to host Le Moyne, also on Saturday.