WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley men's basketball traveled for warmer weather as the Falcons compete in the Mocs Christmas Classic, Dec. 19-20, hosted by Florida Southern. Bentley takes on the host team Friday at 7:30 p.m., and the Falcons tipoff against Barry Saturday at 5 p.m.
 
Millennial McClure
Senior Cash McClure became the 59^th member of Bentley's 1,000-point during the Falcons' win against Post earlier this week (Dec. 16). He entered the game with 999 career points, and he reached the millennial mark by hitting a layup two-and-a-half minutes into the game. McClure is averaging 11.6 points per game through 88 career games.
 
Living at the line
Sophomore Mantas Zilys scored a career-high 19 points in the win over Post, thanks in large part to shooting 12-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Bentley record for made free-throws in a game without a miss is 18, achieved by Ray Andersen against Nichols in Feb. 1969.
 
Free for all
Bentley shot 28-for-31 (90.3-percent) from the free-throw line against Post earlier this week. It stands as Bentley's most made free-throws in a game since the Falcons sank 31 in Nov. 2009. The opponent then was Post. As a team, Bentley's 82.5 free-throw percentage leads the nation.
 
Clarke super on glass
Chase Clarke notched his third double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-high 13 boards against Post. He is averaging 9.0 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the NE10.
 
Finding a groove
After opening the season with two losses in their first three games, the Falcons (5-3) have won four of their last five. Through those last five games, none of Bentley's opponents show better than 41.0-percent from the floor. On the flips side, Bentley has shot better than 45.0-percent in three of the past five games.
 
Scouting No. 25 Florida Southern (9-2)
The Mocs were ranked No. 16 in the nation by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), but a 107-74 loss to unranked Lynn knocked Florida Southern down to No. 25 in the national poll. Five Mocs average double figures in scoring, led by Amare Miller's 16.1 points per game. Miller is shooting 52.6-percent from the floor this season, and he is the team's leading rebounder with 6.7 boards per game. Brady Corso averages 14.8 points, and Elijah Walsh averages 12.3.
 
Scouting Barry (4-5)
The Buccaneers enter the weekend with three consecutive losses, failing to shoot better than 39.0-percent from the floor in either of those games. Leading scorer Deon Perry averages 17.2 points per game, and Tarrance Warren is averaging just under 16 points per game. Marko Sarenac leads the team in rebounding with an average of 8.9 rebounds. As a team, Barry shoots 45.8-percent from the floor, and 35.8-percent from 3-point range.