ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — In a grinding, defensive struggle defined more by missed opportunities than made shots, the Stonehill Skyhawks found just enough offense in overtime to secure a 62-57 victory over the Mercyhurst Lakers in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

The game, witnessed by 956 fans, saw both teams combine for more turnovers (22) than assists (12) and shoot below 40% from the field. Stonehill (5-12, 2-3) ultimately prevailed by locking down defensively in the extra period, holding the host Lakers (7-11, 3-2) to just two points on 1-for-10 shooting.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute of regulation and bled into overtime. With the score tied at 55, Mercyhurst’s Qadir Martin missed a potential go-ahead jumper with three seconds left, sending the game to an extra session. Stonehill seized immediate control in overtime, scoring the first seven points. Davante Hackett of Brampton, Canada, opened the scoring with a layup, and after a defensive stop, Hermann Koffi sank a crucial three-pointer off an assist from Trenton Ruth to push the lead to five. The Skyhawks’ defense did the rest, forcing four Mercyhurst misses and a turnover before the Lakers finally scored with 56 seconds left.

Stonehill’s win was a product of surviving a dismal first half and overcoming its own offensive inefficiency. The Skyhawks trailed 26-18 at halftime after shooting just 28% from the field and committing nine turnovers. They found a rhythm after the break, erupting for 37 second-half points. Chas Stinson, a guard from Charlotte, North Carolina, led Stonehill with 15 points, while Hackett added 12, all of which proved vital in the comeback.

Mercyhurst was led by Martin, a forward from Staten Island, New York, who posted 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Jake Lemelman of Newton, Massachusetts, added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Lakers’ offense, however, never found consistency, finishing the game shooting 35.3% overall and a frigid 2 of 11 from three-point range. Their nine steals and seven turnovers forced were offset by their own inability to capitalize, scoring only 57 points on 72 possessions.

The Skyhawks won despite glaring statistical deficiencies. They were out-assisted 9-3, out-stolen 9-3, and shot a woeful 13 of 24 from the free-throw line. They were buoyed by a 42-35 rebounding advantage, led by Ethan Meuser of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, who grabbed 10 rebounds to go with six points and a game-high seven assists, and Ridvan Tutic of Novi Pazar, Serbia, who also pulled down 10 boards.

Stonehill’s victory defied the pregame projections, as Mercyhurst had been favored by 4.5 points and given a nearly 80% probability to win by analytical models. The combined point total of 119 also fell well under the over/under line of 128.5, underscoring the defensive and often sloppy nature of the contest.

For Stonehill, the road win snaps a two-game conference skid and provides momentum as they prepare to visit Saint Francis (Pa.) on Monday. Mercyhurst, which had won two of its last three, looks to rebound at home against Central Connecticut on Monday.