WALTHAM, Mass. – Chase Clarke – and instant replay – saved the day when the Bentley men's basketball team beat No. 16 Assumption, 79-77, in the Falcons' 2025-26 home opener Tuesday night.  

With the game tied, 77-77, Cash McClure drove down the lane and pulled up in the paint for a jumper. His shot rimmed out, but Clarke was there to tip in the go-ahead points.

Officials initially ruled basket interference, but Bentley head coach Jay Lawson didn't hesitate to challenge the call. After a lengthy review, officials reversed the call to seal the Bentley win.

Clarke finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds. He made all seven of his shot attempts from the floor. Mantas Zilys matched Clarke's 17 points, and he added eight rebounds. McClure finished with 15 points, and Cooper Farrall chipped in 13.

The Falcons (2-2) had to navigate Assumption's full-court pressure all game. That pressure led to 19 Bentley turnovers, but the Falcons' defense had a successful plan of its own. Bently held Assumption (4-1) to its lowest scoring total through the Greyhounds' first five games of the season. In fact, Assumption had scored at least 87 points in each of its games before playing in Waltham.  

Despite the turnovers, Bentley shot 57.1-percent from the floor. The Greyhounds were held to a 43.1-percent field-goal percentage.

Bentley took a double-digit lead, 43-33, into halftime. That lead grew to 15 points, 53-38, less than five minutes into the second half. Assumption cut its deficit to single digits, 58-50, with 11:57 on the clock. Just 90 seconds later it became a one-possession game, 60-57, with Bentley still clinging to a lead.

The Greyhounds claimed a 67-66 lead at the 5:40 mark when a Bentley turnover led to a fastbreak layup. Neither team led by more than three points for the rest of the game.

Bentley's victory marks the 14^th consecutive season in which the Falcons won their home opener. The Falcons are back home Sunday, Nov. 30, to host Bridgeport at 2 p.m.