WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley closed out the first half of its season with a 3-2 home victory over Niagara on Saturday night.

The Falcons end the first half at 8-1-1 in Atlantic Hockey and 9-6-1 overall.

Jake Blake scored the go-ahead goal in the second period on the power play at the 10:13 mark.

Late in the game Niagara sent on the extra attacker for the final 2:25 but Bentley protected the lead and secured the win with a defensive stand. They blocked five shots by Niagara during that final push, with Colton Cameron, Tobias Larsen, Ryan Upson and Owen Goodbrand all blocking shots.

Bentley took an early 1-0 lead 4:16 into the game with a shorthanded goal by Arlo Merritt, who finished off a break down the ice with his third goal of the year.

Niagara responded with a power play goal from forward Spencer Young just over a minute later.

The Falcons took the lead back at the 12:57 mark of the 1^st period on Kellan Hjartarson's third goal of the year. Hjartarson tipped in a shot from defenseman David Helledy that came from the blue line.

Niagara tied the score at 6:34 of the second frame on a goal by Nathan Oickle.

But just under four minutes later Black scored what would be the game-winner, with Michael Mesic getting an assist.

Nicholas Bevilacqua made 26 saves to earn his fourth win of the season.

The Falcons will now go into their semester break and return to the ice on January 2 against Holy Cross.