Lux leads Falcons to win in NE10 opener with 17 points, nine rebounds
Raymond scored a team-high 12 points for the Skyhawks. (PHOTO BY Peter Buehner) |
EASTON, Mass. (November 14, 2018) – Bentley University, ranked No. 8 in both the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II and D2SIDA Media preseason polls, defeated No. 8/8 Stonehill College, 70-54 in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action on Paula Sullivan Court at Merkert Gymnasium tonight.
Senior Victoria Lux led three Bentley players in double-figures with 17 points on 6-of-20 shooting, converting 5-of-6 free throws, to go with nine rebounds. Senior Megan Lewis added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and two boards, while classmate Amy McConnell totaled 11 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals. Sophomore Katie Meriggioli chipped in nine points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Falcons.
Freshman Kayla Raymond led three Stonehill players in double figures with 12 points, while adding two rebounds and two assists, and sophomore Jennifer Worden recorded 11 points and seven boards. Junior Gabrielle Reuter totaled 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and four blocked shots.
Bentley led largely from start to finish, outscoring Stonehill 7-2 over the final four minutes of the opening quarter to grab a seven-point advantage (19-12) heading into the second. Junior Monica Viapiano scored four points and sophomore Marissa Fontaine connected on a three-pointer during the stretch for the Falcons.
Worden added 11 points and seven boards. (PHOTO BY Mike Tureski/SportsPix) |
Bentley extended its lead to 13 (36-23) after McConnell made a pair of free throws with two minutes remaining, before settling for an 11-point (36-25) halftime advantage. Stonehill closed within nine (38-29) with a Raymond basket inside, but the Falcons followed with seven-straight, including five from Lewis to open a 16-point lead (45-29) midway through the third quarter. The Skyhawks made another charge, drawing within nine again (47-38) after two free throws by sophomore Maddie Seymour, but Bentley was able to restore a 13-point cushion (53-40) heading into the fourth.
Bentley stretched its lead to a game-high 18 (60-42) on a Lux layup. The Falcons lead was still 18 (64-46) after a McConnell basket, when Stonehill reeled off eight straight to close within ten (64-54) late after a Reuter layup, but the Skyhawks would not score again with the visitors scoring the game's final six points to seal it. Reuter converted a three-point play and Raymond buried a three for the Skyhawks with the Skyhawks final run.
Stonehill (2-1, 0-1 NE10) is back in action on Saturday, when it visits Saint Michael's College for an NE10 matchup at 1:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return home in two weeks to host Merrimack College in NE10 play on Wednesday, November 28, at 5:30 p.m. Bentley (3-0, 1-0 NE10) visits Queens (N.Y.) University on Saturday at 3 p.m.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
