EASTON, Mass. (Interstat) — Kadidia Toure recorded a dominant double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds, and the Long Island Sharks used a stifling defensive effort to secure a 69-57 victory over the Stonehill Skyhawks in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Merkert Gymnasium.

The Sharks, who swept the season series after a 72-59 win at home on Jan. 22, improved to 15-8 overall. The Skyhawks fell to 8-15.

Long Island never trailed, establishing control with a 17-13 first quarter and extending its lead to 37-24 by halftime. The Sharks’ defense was the story, holding Stonehill to 37% shooting from the floor and forcing 19 turnovers, which they converted into 13 points. Long Island also protected the rim with seven blocks, led by Toure’s presence inside.

The 6-foot-3 junior from Silver Spring, Maryland, was the game’s most impactful player, adding two assists, a steal and a block in 32 minutes. Her work on the glass, including five offensive rebounds, helped Long Island to a 12-6 advantage in second-chance points.

Janessa Williams provided crucial scoring support for the Sharks with 18 points and seven rebounds. Hannah Humphrey added 13 points, and Kionna Gaines came off the bench to score 11.

Stonehill was led by Julia Webster’s 19 points and nine rebounds. Ella Pelletier contributed 15 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Brooke Paquette added 10 points and six boards.

The Skyhawks struggled to find consistent offense against Long Island’s pressure, posting an offensive rating of just 78.3 points per 100 possessions. Their most productive stretch came in the fourth quarter, where they outscored the Sharks 19-15, but the early deficit proved too large to overcome.

Long Island shot 42% from the field and made 14 of 19 free throws. While the Sharks committed 16 turnovers of their own, their efficiency on both ends, scoring 98.5 points per 100 possessions, carried the day.

The most important sequence of the game came late in the second quarter, as Long Island solidified its commanding halftime lead. After a Julia Webster 3-pointer pulled Stonehill within 22-19 with just over three minutes left in the half, the Sharks responded with a decisive 15-5 run to close the quarter. The surge was fueled by defensive stops and balanced scoring. Hannah Humphrey answered Webster’s three with one of her own. Following a Stonehill turnover, Kadidia Toure hit a jumper. After another Skyhawks miscue, Janessa Williams drew a foul and made a free throw. Toure then converted a layup in the final minute, giving Long Island a 37-24 advantage and all the momentum heading into the break. That run effectively insulated the Sharks from Stonehill’s fourth-quarter push.

The game was a reversal of the national statistical projection, which had favored Stonehill to win with a 56% probability.

Long Island returns home to face New Haven on Feb. 14. Stonehill travels to play Wagner on the same date.