WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Julian Mackey scored 22 points to lead Florida International past Long Island 86-79 in a men’s nonconference basketball game Saturday at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Golden Panthers used a 13-2 run early in the second half to seize control, turning a two-point halftime edge into a double-digit lead. The Sharks, led by Jamal Fuller’s 18 points, closed within three points late but could not complete the comeback. Florida International’s efficient offense, which shot 52.5% from the field, and a decisive 33-16 advantage in fast-break points proved critical. The Golden Panthers improved to 6-4, while Long Island fell to .500 at 6-6.

WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and relentless defensive pressure, the Florida International Golden Panthers used a dominant second-half surge to outlast the Long Island Sharks 86-79 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The contest, played before an intimate crowd of 301, saw the visiting Sharks hold a narrow 46-44 lead at halftime behind a balanced scoring attack. However, the Golden Panthers seized control after the break with a decisive 15-4 run early in the second half, a stretch that proved to be the most important part of the game. That burst, fueled by transition offense and forced turnovers, flipped a two-point deficit into a nine-point lead from which Long Island could never fully recover. Florida International’s victory was anchored by superior efficiency and defensive activity. The Golden Panthers scored 86 points on 77 possessions for an offensive rating of 111.1, outperforming Long Island’s 101.2 rating on 78 possessions. The home team shot 52.5% from the field compared to 45.5% for the Sharks and dominated key hustle categories, recording 15 steals and eight blocks while forcing 19 turnovers. Julian Mackey led all scorers for Florida International, providing a crucial spark off the bench with 22 points in just 25 minutes. His backcourt mate, Corey Stephenson, added 17 points, while Ashton Williamson orchestrated the offense with 10 points and five assists. The Golden Panthers’ interior presence was formidable, with Eric Dibami scoring 12 points and blocking three shots and reserve Olajuwon Ibrahim swatting three shots in only 13 minutes. Long Island was led by the trio of Jamal Fuller, Jomo Goings and Malachi Davis, who each scored 17 points. Fuller added four assists and a block, while Davis dished out five assists. The Sharks battled on the glass, securing 15 offensive rebounds, but were ultimately undone by the turnover disparity and Florida International’s 33-16 advantage in fastbreak points. The first half was a tightly contested affair featuring eight lead changes. Long Island built an early 8-2 lead behind aggressive play from Goings and Fuller, but Florida International responded with its own 8-0 run. The Sharks’ biggest first-half lead was five points, but the Golden Panthers closed the period strong, with Dibami tipping in a miss just before the buzzer to cut the deficit to two. The second-half turning point came quickly. After a Stephenson three-pointer gave Florida International a 47-46 lead, the Golden Panthers’ defense locked in. Consecutive steals led to easy baskets for Hamed Olayinka and Dibami, capping the 15-4 run that gave Florida International a 59-50 lead with 16:41 remaining. Long Island fought back valiantly, trimming the lead to four points on several occasions, but each time the Golden Panthers had an answer, often from Mackey or Stephenson, to maintain separation. With the win, Florida International improves to 6-4 on the season, while Long Island evens its record at 6-6. The Golden Panthers will look to build momentum when they host Trinity on Monday. The Sharks continue a challenging road stretch with a visit to Georgia on Dec. 29.

Preview: Long Island Sharks at Florida International Golden Panthers WESTCHESTER, Fla. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to steady themselves before conference play begins will meet Saturday when the Long Island Sharks visit the Florida International Golden Panthers at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The nonconference matchup features squads with similar early-season trajectories. Long Island (6-5) arrives after a narrow 87-83 road loss at Mississippi State on Tuesday. Florida International (5-4) is also coming off a defeat, falling 98-81 at Miami (Fla.) on the same night. The Sharks have shown resilience, with their last five games decided by seven points or fewer, including an overtime loss to Winthrop. Guard Jamal Fuller has been a consistent offensive catalyst for Long Island. He is averaging 14.8 points over his last six games, including a 20-point performance in a win at Lehigh and 18 points in the tight loss at Mississippi State. The Golden Panthers counter with their own high-scoring guard in Corey Stephenson. He is averaging 19.0 points over his last five contests, highlighted by a 25-point outing against James Madison and a 23-point, 6-assist effort in the loss to Miami. His backcourt battle with Fuller will be a key focal point. Florida International has been strong at home, boasting a 4-1 record in Westchester with wins over Jacksonville and Florida Gulf Coast. Long Island is 2-4 in true road games this season, though all four losses came against high-major opponents (Notre Dame, Illinois, Missouri State, Mississippi State). This game represents a final tune-up against a regional opponent before both teams turn their attention to their respective league schedules. Long Island begins Northeast Conference play in early January, while Florida International opens Conference USA action on Jan. 2. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.