Chose scored 18 of his team-high 20 points in the first half (PHOTO BY Mike Tureski/SportsPix)

Falcons shoot 53-percent after halftime to break open halftime deadlock

WALTHAM, Mass. (February 3, 2022) – Bentley University, ranked No. 12 in the D2SIDA Top 25 poll and No. 18 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II poll, shot nearly 53-percent from the floor after halftime to break open an 87-73 victory over Stonehill College in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball action inside the Charles A. Dana Athletic Center tonight. 

Leaders

Stonehill
Owen Chose 5^th-year, Guard: 20 points (4-for-7 threes), including 18 in the first half, 3 rebounds.
Isaiah Burnett Senior, Guard: 18 points (7-for-8), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals.
Andrew Sims Senior, Forward: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocked shots.
Emmanuel Bonsu Sophomore, Guard: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. 

Bentley
Colton Lawrence Postgrad, Guard: 23 points (10-for-20, 3-for-6 threes), 3 rebounds, 2 steals.
Mason Webb Senior Guard: 21 points (8-for-15), 4 rebounds, 4 assists.
Zach Laput Sophomore, Guard: 16 points (5-for-10), 7 rebounds, 4 assists.
Jordan Mello-Klein Postgrad, Guard: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals. 

How it Happened

• Burnett made 7-of-8 shots from the floor on his way to 18 points (PHOTO BY Mike Tureski/SportsPix)

  Bentley shot 52.8-percent (19-for-36) from the floor in the second half, while limiting Stonehill to 34.5% (10-for-29) shooting over the final 20 minutes, to break a 44-44 halftime deadlock and claim the win.
• Stonehill started quick, grabbing a nine-point lead (11-2) after Chose's second three-pointer 4:12 into the game as he scored eight of the Skyhawks first 11 points.
• Bentley took its first lead (31-30) after a layup from Mello-Klein with six minutes left in the half.
• The Falcons held a series of three-point edges, before Chose hit his fourth three of the half to send the teams into halftime tied (44-44).
• Lawrence scored the first hoop of the second half and Bentley wouldn't trail again, opening an 11-point advantage (59-48) with a Mello-Klein transition three four minutes in.
• Bentley extended its lead to 13 (66-53) with a Lawrence triple with 12:45 to play and Stonehill wouldn't get back within ten again.
• Mello-Klein scored a driving layup to stretch the Falcons lead to 17 (73-56) midway through the half and the hosts would keep the Skyhawks at bay the rest of the way.

Noteworthy

• Chose scored his seventh 20-point game of the season (18^th career), all coming within the last nine games, with his 13^th double-figure scoring game of the year (60^th career).
• Chose moved into a tie for 23^rd place on Stonehill's career scoring list with his 1,247 career points in 98 career games played surpassing former teammate Brandon Twitty, '20 (1,236).
• Sims reached double-figures for the sixth-straight game, posting his 14^th double-figure game this season (26^th career).
• Burnett scored in double-figures for the 11th time this season.
• Bonsu made his second career start and notched his second double-figure scoring game, finishing three points shy of his season-high.
• Stonehill shot 57.7-percent (15-for-26) from the floor, including 5-for-8 (62.5%) from three-point distance, in the first half.
• Bentley took advantage of Stonehill's 11 turnovers, while committing just five themselves, with a 16-8 edge in points off.
• The Falcons outscored Stonehill 50-32 in the paint.

Up Next

Stonehill (11-9, 7-7 NE10) is right back in action on Saturday, when it hosts Saint Anselm College for another key NE10 Northeast Division clash at Merkert Gymnasium at 3:30 p.m. Bentley (15-3, 10-3 NE10) visits Saint Michael's College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

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