Stonehill, Bentley women’s basketball teams renew
acquaintances
By Jim Fenton
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
EASTON — They
have met 88 times in a series that began way back on Feb. 3, 1975.
Through all those games over a 35-year run, Stonehill College and
Bentley University have built one of New England’s best
women’s basketball rivalries.
“I knew a lot about it because I
grew up in Norwood,’’ said Stonehill coach Trisha
Brown. “Even when I was in college (at Harvard University),
you’d hear about the Stonehill-Bentley rivalry.
“I remember specifically
when I was an assistant coach at Harvard coming down to see a
Stonehill-Bentley game here. It was such a great atmosphere. The
gym was packed.
“I thought to myself,
‘This is amazing for women’s basketball at this level
to have such a great crowd and environment.’ I definitely
knew that it was a great rivalry before I even got
here.’’
The Skyhawks and Falcons will
play for the 89th time on Friday afternoon, and this time, the
stakes will be a lot higher than just the usual bragging
rights.
Third-seeded Stonehill (23-9)
and sixth-seeded Bentley (19-10) will meet at Fitchburg State
College at 2:30 p.m. in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Div. 2
East Regional.
