Waltham

#1 Bentley Tops Stonehill, 57-42

Bentley University, ranked No. 1 in this week’s ESPN/USA Today/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II poll, held Stonehill College under 29-percent shooting from the field to claim a 57-42 victory in Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball action at Merkert Gymnasium this afternoon.

Sophomore forwards Jacqui Brugliera (Fitchburg, Mass./Wachusett Regional) and Lauren Battista (North Easton,Mass./Oliver Ames) both claimed double-doubles to lead the way for Bentley with a combined 40 points and 24 rebounds. Brugliera made 8-of-12 shots from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range, and converted 8-of-10 free-throws for a game-high 26 points while adding ten rebounds and a blocked shot. Battista made 5-of-10 shots from the field and 4-of-6 free-throws for 14 points to go with a game-high 14 rebounds and two assists.

Junior Courtney Finn (Winthrop, Mass./Winthrop)chipped in with eight points, while classmate Kelsey Roberson (Arlington,Mass./Arlington Catholic) contributed five assists and four boards.

SeniorPriscilla Dodoo (Worcester,Mass./Burncoat) led Stonehill with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists. SophomoreAsia Ewing (Westford, Mass./WestfordAcademy) added eight points and a team-best ten rebounds (five offensive) with two blocked shots, while classmateMary Louise Dixon (Wellesley,Mass./Wellesley) chipped in six points, five boards and five assists.

Bentley finished shooting 38-percent (19-for-50) from the field after converting at 40.7% (11-27) in the first half, and made 70.8-percent (17-24) of its free-throws. The Falcons also posted a 43-36 rebounding advantage. Stonehill was held to 28.3-percent (17-for-60) shooting from the field, including 25% (8-31) in the first half, and converted 5-of-7 (71.4%) free-throws.

AfterDixon made two free-throws in the opening minute of the second half, Bentley got seven-straight points from Brugliera to open a 14 point (36-22) lead 3:19 in. Stonehill closed within 11 (41-30) after a put back by freshman Tori Faieta (Lynn,Mass./Saint Mary’s) with 11:17 to play. The Falcons answered with an 8-2 spurt to run their lead to a game-high 17 (49-32) after a jumper by seniorKatherine Goodwin (Goffstown, N.H./Governor’s Academy) with 6:15 remaining that the Skyhawks would rebound from.

Stonehill’s lone lead of the afternoon (8-6) came after a three-pointer by Dodoo 4:15 into the contest. Brugliera answered with a three at the other end and then canned two free-throws to run the advantage to three (11-8) with 14:09 left in the half. Sophomore Abbey Lalime (Orleans,Vt./LakeRegion Union) knotted the score (11-11) on a three with 11:30 remaining, and then Bentley opened a five point cushion (16-11) on a jumper by Battista with 10:30 to go.

Stonehill was within three (21-18) after a layup by Dodoo with 6:18 left in the half, but Bentley scored eight of the final ten points of the frame to take a nine point lead (29-20) into the intermission. Battista opened the closing run with three points, while Brugliera buried a three that answered a Dodoo steal and layup to push the lead to seven (27-20) with 1:36 left.

*Stonehill College Athletics