Long Island wins 61-54 over Stonehill

The Long Island University Sharks secured a 61-54 victory over the Stonehill College Skyhawks during a Northeast Conference basketball matchup in Easton, Massachusetts, on Saturday. Led by a standout performance from guard Malachi Davis, the Sharks managed to outlast their conference rivals in a defensive battle to improve their standing within the league. The win comes as a crucial momentum-builder for Long Island as they navigate the competitive mid-season schedule of Division I college basketball. Malachi Davis was the focal point of the Sharks' offensive strategy, contributing a game-high 17 points to ensure the victory. His ability to find the basket during critical stretches of the second half allowed Long Island to maintain a narrow lead against a resilient Stonehill defense. The game was characterized by physical play and tactical adjustments, as both teams struggled to find a consistent rhythm from the perimeter, ultimately forcing the contest to be decided in the paint and at the free-throw line. Despite the loss, the Stonehill Skyhawks remained competitive throughout the duration of the contest, keeping the score within single digits for the majority of the second half. However, the Skyhawks were unable to overcome Long Island's defensive pressure in the closing minutes, leading to several empty possessions that thwarted their comeback attempt. This result marks another chapter in the growing rivalry between the two programs as they compete for positioning in the Northeast Conference standings.