NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The No. 10 Bentley women's basketball team opened its 2025-26 season with a loss against Mercy, 64-61, Saturday evening. Southern Connecticut hosted the game.

The Falcons (0-1) and Mustangs (1-0) entered the fourth quarter similarly to how they entered halftime – in a tie.

The score was 52-52 after three quarters, but Mercy hit a 3-pointer and connected on a couple of three-throws to take a 57-52 lead three minutes into the fourth.

Cherish Bryant kept the Falcons within striking distance by making a layup, and a minute later Niya Morgen hit a trey to tie the game, 57-57.

Bentley claimed a 59-57 lead when Ciara Norman scored in the paint, but a scoring drought for both teams followed for the next two minutes. Mercy tied the game with 3:15 on the clock, and it took a 61-59 lead with 90 seconds left in regulation.

Bentley sent Mercy to the line when the Mustangs had a 63-61 advantage with five seconds lift. The first attempt was true, but a miss in the second attempt left the door open for Bentley. Bryant gabbed the defensive board, and Bentley quickly called timeout.

The Falcons' inbounds play went to Morgen, but her 3-point attempt to tie the game at the buzzer did not go.

Julia Elie led Bentley in scoring with 13 points, and Morgan finished with 12. Bryant, a freshman, scored 10 points in her collegiate debut.

Bentley kept the game close despite shooting 4-for-23 from 3-point range, and 1-for-5 from the free-throw line. Mercy attempted 15 free-throws, and made 12 of them.

The Falcons remain in New Haven to take on Georgian Court Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1:30 p.m.