Nov. 30, 2008

LOWELL - Senior G Lew Finnegan (Lexington, MA) scored 18 points as Bentley University defeated UMass Lowell, 72-64, Sunday afternoon in a Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball clash at the Costello Athletic Center.

With the loss, UMass Lowell slipped to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the NE-10 entering Wednesday's game at Saint Anselm (7:30). Bentley improved to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Conference and visits New Haven Saturday at 4:00.

Sophomore G Max Kerman (Watertown, MA) scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished three assists while shooting 5 for 10 from the floor. Junior G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) also had 12 points in addition to four steals and three assists while junior G Craig Heatherly (Mishawaka, IN) chipped in 11 points and five rebounds.

Freshman G Kyle Caiola (Parma, OH) chipped in 10 points and dished three assists.

Sophomore G Mike Quinn (Oakdale, CT) scored 17 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dealt three assists, while converting 4 of 7 attempts from 3-point range. Junior G Jason Westrol (Brielle, NJ) added 11 points while sophomore Brian Tracey (Bow Mar, CO) compiled 10 points and 12 rebounds.

The Falcons outscored UMass Lowell 26-7 from the free throw line and shot .545 in the second half (12-22) opposed to .316 shooting (12-38) by the River Hawks.

The advantages compensated for Bentley's 15 turnovers while UMass Lowell committed seven, making for a 13-6 edge in points off turnovers. The River Hawks also had 26-14 advantage in the paint.

"You have to give Bentley the credit," said Head Coach Greg Herenda. "They made the big shots, rebounded extremely well and they made a lot of free throws. They know how to win and we are in the process of learning how."

With the score tied at 51-51 with 5:13 remaining, Bentley went on a 10-2 run - led by four points from Finnegan - to post a 61-53 lead with 2:49 left to play.

The River Hawks cut the lead to five (69-64) with 38 seconds left on a trey by Carr, but the Falcons converted three of four free throws the rest of the way to seal the win.

In the first half, UMass Lowell raced out to a 20-6 lead behind four points from freshman F John Corbacio (Stoney Creek, ONT), but the Falcons countered with a 15-2 spurt to close the deficit to 22-21 with 7:23 left in the half. Finnegan scored five points in the run.

"We got off to another terrific start, but you knew they had the experience and composure to come back," Herenda said. "We need to play for 40 minutes."