WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley outshot Niagara 38-19 but fell to the Purple Eagles 3-1 on Friday night in the first game of a weekend series between the two teams.

It was the first Atlantic Hockey defeat of the season for the Falcons, who fell to 7-1-1 in conference games.

Bentley had a 13-3 edge in shots in the opening period but were twice denied on excellent scoring chances by Niagara's Deivs Rolovs. Kellan Hjartarson was denied by a pad save midway through the period and Michael Mesic on a breakaway just as time expired.

The Purple Eagles took a 1-0 lead at 15:02 of the second frame on a goal by Marshall Finnie, who found the top corner from a tough angle.

Bentley tied the scored at 9:48 of the third period on Jake Black's third goal of the year. Goalie Lukas Swedin got the play started and was credited with an assist after clearing the puck out of the zone and off the boards to Stephen Castagna.

As Castagna drove on net he left the puck for Black, who maneuvered around Rolovs and found room to shoot for the goal.

Niagara though would take the lead back just over a minute later on a goal by Lane Brockhoff.

With 2:22 remaining Bentley sent on the extra-attacker in search of the tying goal, but Niagara scored an empty-netter with 2:10 left that was given after a review to take a 3-1 lead.

Bentley will look to earn the series split and close out the first half of the season with a win on Saturday in the second game of this series at 4:00 pm.