EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and critical mistakes, the Long Island Sharks edged the Stonehill Skyhawks 66-63 in a Northeast Conference men’s basketball clash Friday night at Merkert Gymnasium.

The Sharks, who improved to 12-8 overall, overcame a halftime deficit by forcing 15 Stonehill turnovers while committing only five of their own. That 10-turnover disparity proved decisive in a low-possession, grind-it-out affair where offensive efficiency was at a premium. Long Island scored 66 points on 63 possessions for an offensive rating of 104.6, while Stonehill managed just 63 points on 67 possessions, an offensive rating of 94.4.

Stonehill, which fell to 5-14, led 36-35 at halftime behind a strong opening period from Chas Stinson. The Skyhawks maintained their edge for much of the second half, holding a 52-48 lead with just over nine minutes remaining. However, the Sharks’ defensive intensity, particularly from forwards Jomo Goings and Greg Gordon, triggered a decisive stretch.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the final three minutes with Long Island clinging to a 60-57 lead. After a Hermann Koffi three-pointer brought Stonehill within two points, the Skyhawks had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead but were undone by turnovers. First, Davante Hackett lost the ball to Shadrak Lasu with 2:50 left. Following a Long Island timeout, Stonehill forced a stop but immediately gave it back when Rex Sunderland committed a turnover, which Malachi Davis stole.

Long Island’s Jamal Fuller then hit a crucial three-pointer off an assist from Gordon to push the lead to 63-57 with 2:17 remaining. Stonehill’s Stinson answered with a layup to make it 63-59, but on the ensuing possession, the Sharks executed a patient set that ended with Fuller hitting a floating jumper in the lane for a 65-59 advantage with 1:20 to go, effectively sealing the outcome.

Fuller and Gordon each scored 20 points to lead the Sharks. Fuller, a guard from Toronto, added three assists and a block in 37 minutes. Gordon, a forward from Chicago, also played 37 minutes and contributed two blocks. Goings, a defensive force from Washington, D.C., filled the stat sheet with 10 points, three assists and three blocks in 30 minutes, his protection of the rim pivotal throughout.

Stonehill was led by Stinson, a guard from Charlotte, North Carolina, who scored a game-high 20 points in 28 minutes. Hermann Koffi of Quebec City added 13 points. The Skyhawks shot marginally better from the field, 26 of 56 compared to Long Island’s 23 of 57, but were hampered by their ball security issues and a significant disadvantage at the free-throw line, making 6 of 10 attempts against Long Island’s 12 of 17.

The Sharks’ ability to control the ball and capitalize on Stonehill’s errors in the closing minutes was the defining characteristic of the contest. Long Island’s backcourt of Fuller and Malachi Davis, who had eight points, combined for five of the team’s seven steals, applying constant pressure that ultimately wore down the Skyhawks’ attack.

Both teams return to NEC action on Sunday. Long Island hosts Wagner, while Stonehill welcomes Central Connecticut State. The Sharks and Skyhawks will meet again in Brooklyn on Feb. 7.

The game drew an announced crowd of 801.