Feb. 16, 2011

Box Score

Freshman F Jacqui Brugliera scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Bentley University over UMass Lowell, 64-43, Wednesday night in a Northeast-10 Conference women’s basketball clash at the Dana Center.

With the loss, UMass Lowell slipped to 9-15 overall and 8-12 in the NE-10 entering Saturday’s home clash against Saint Anselm (2:00). With a win Saturday, the River Hawks will clinch a spot in the NE-10 Tournament Feb. 27-Mar. 3.

UMass Lowell remains in a three-way tie for ninth place in the NE-10 standings with Southern New Hampshire (10-14, 8-12 NE-10) and Merrimack (10-14, 8-12 NE-10). Southern New Hampshire suffered a 47-36 home loss against Saint Michael’s while Merrimack dropped a 74-61 decision at home to Franklin Pierce.

Should they remain that way at the end of the regular season, the River Hawks would earn the No. 9 seed since sweeping both the Penmen and Warriors this season.

With its sixth straight victory, Bentley improved to 21-3 overall and 18-2 in the Conference and clinched at least a share of the NE-10 regular season title.

Sophomore G Bianca Simmons (Middletown, Conn.) led UMass Lowell with nine points, four rebounds and three assists while freshman G Nyachuol Biliew (Portland, Maine) added eight points and six rebounds.

Brugliera also had four steals while freshman F Lauren Battista chipped in 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Sophomore G Courtney Finn scored 11 points, shooting 3 for 5 from the field and 3-4 from the free throw stripe.

Bentley forced UMass Lowell into 23 turnovers while committing 14, resulting in a 13-4 steals advantage as well as 14-9 scoring edge off turnovers. The Falcons also outscored the River Hawks 23-12 at the free throw line and 21-6 from behind the 3-point circle.

"We were not able to execute tonight," said UML Head Coach Kathy O'Neil. "Credit Bentley for taking away what we wanted to do."

Both teams were off the mark in the early going, but UMass Lowell misfired on 14 of its first 15 attempts and trailed 17-3 with 7:28 left to play.

Bentley led 27-14 at the break, but the River Hawks could not get within 10 points the rest of the way.

The Falcons opened the first half with a 15-4 run to post a 42-21 cushion with 12:21 remaining. Battista led the run with seven points.