WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore guard Ryan Richmond (Toronto, Ont./Thomson Collegiate) poured in 28 points, including two game-tying free throws with 0.4 seconds left in regulation, as Bentley University rallied for a 78-74 overtime win over the University of New Haven in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball Saturday afternoon at the Dana Center.

Bentley, which had trailed by as many as 13 in the first half, notched its second straight win to improve to 6-7 overall and 3-5 conference. New Haven, despite a 46-32 rebounding edge, dropped to 7-7 overall, including 2-6 NE-10.

New Haven, which held the Falcons without a field goal for the final five minutes of second half, regained the lead, 64-62, on a fast-break lay-up by six-foot-six freshman Roy Kane, Jr. (Norwalk, Conn.) with 15 seconds to play.

Following a timeout, a three-point attempt by Bentley sophomore forward Zach Gilpin (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy) was rejected. Richmond came away with the loose ball but his buzzer-beating attempt seemed to be blocked as well. However, a foul was called, sending the Falcons' leading scorer to the line for two. His first one bounced up on the rim before falling in and he swished the second to send the two clubs to overtime even at 64.

In the OT, which started with a Richmond triple, Gilpin broke a 71-all tie with two free throws with 2:22 left. Junior forward Brandon Wheeler (Stamford, Conn./Trinity Catholic HS) followed with a lay-up, and after New Haven made one of two at the line, Richmond did the same, putting Bentley in front 76-72 with 33.9 seconds showing.

A driving lay-up by Charger sophomore guard Michael Bourke (South Orange, N.J.) with 17.2 on the clock again made it a one-possession game.  Bentley was able to run the clock down to 4.6 seconds before New Haven committed the foul and Richmond locked up the outcome with two more from the stripe.

Bentley had trouble getting started and faced a 22-9 deficit midway through the first after New Haven ran off nine in a row, the last six scored by Kane, Jr.  Led by Richmond and senior guard Matt Barr (Stratham, N.H./Cushing Academy), the Falcons closed the half with a 20-10 burst over the final 8:18 and went into the break down three, 32-29.

Richmond had 12 of the 20 and Barr, the third most accurate three-point shooter in the NE10, knocked down a pair from downtown during that stretch.

Bentley's first lead of the afternoon came in the midst of an 11-3 run midway through the second as the Falcons during a six-point deficit into a 51-46 advantage. Gilpin started it with a three and Richmond scored five, including a 17-footer to put the Falcons in front for the first time, 44-43.

There would be three more lead changes before Richmond was able to send the game into the extra session.

Richmond, who made half of his six three-point attempts and nine of his ten free throws, also provided seven rebounds and two assists in 41 turnover-free minutes.

All five Falcon starters scored in doubles with Gilpin finishing with 12, Barr and Wheeler 11 apiece and 10 from senior guard Ferguson Duke (Dartmouth, N.S./Hun School (N.J.)). Wheeler also provided seven rebounds and six assists, and Gilpin was credited with three blocks.

Bourke led New Haven with 17, and Charleston Southern transfer Danny Church (Bridgeport, Conn.), a junior guard, followed with 17 points and nine rebounds.  He needed 24 shots for those 17 as he made only five from the floor.

Bentley shot 50 percent after intermission and finished with a 42-40 percent shooting advantage. The Falcons made seven more free throws (19-24 as compared to 12-15) and enjoyed a 20-9 edge in points off turnovers, losing the ball only eight times.

Bentley will return to action Wednesday with a 7:30 pm game at Adelphi University.