WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore forward Cooper Farrall (Valparaiso, Ind./Culver Academies) tied his career-high with 27 points and graduate guard Aaron Latham (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury HS) added 15, including five from the line in the final two minutes, as Bentley University edged nationally-ranked Pace University, 76-71, in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball on the Dana Center's Barbara Stevens Court Wednesday night.
 
Bentley, 6-2 in its last eight games, improved to 12-8 overall and 9-5 in the Northeast-10, good for a tie for fourth place. Pace, number 14 nationally, dropped to 19-4 overall and 11-4 conference.
 
It was a nail-biter throughout with nine ties and 11 lead changes, the last coming with 9:06 to play on a pair of Farrall free throws that put the Falcons up 57-56.
 
It would stay that way for more than three minutes, until a three-point play by junior forward Chase Clarke (Bloomfield, N.J./Newark Academy) pushed the Falcon advantage to four with 5:41 left.
 
Meanwhile, Pace was held scoreless for just over five minutes, a span in which the Setters were 0-for-6 with two turnovers.
 
The difference got down to one twice in last five minutes, the last time at 62-61 after a basket from  sophomore guard Trey Boyd III (Durham, N.C.). Farrall returned the lead to three with two more from the line, and an open three by junior guard Cash McClure (Readfield, Maine/Maranacook HS) after Bentley beat the Setter press made it a six-point game, 67-61 with 2:13 left.
 
Bentley continued to successfully handle the press (only one turnover in the final five minutes) and Latham helped to lock down the win by making five of six free throws in the last two minutes.
 
A fast start by Farrall, coupled with a pair of three-pointers off the bench from sophomore guard Dre Roman (Loiza, P.R.), enabled Bentley to open its biggest lead of the game, 21-12, near the midpoint of the first half.
 
Bentley was up seven with 12 minutes left in the second, but Pace used a 10-2 spurt to take the lead for the final time.
 
Farrall, who also scored 27 at Franklin Pierce on Jan. 14, shot seven of 14 overall, made four of six from distance and was nine of 11 at the charity stripe. He also led the Falcons in rebounds (9) and steals (3).
 
Latham finished four of six overall and five of seven at the line, and committed only one turnover in 37-plus minutes. Clarke added 11 points and five rebounds, and both McClure and Roman scored eight.
 
Pace was led by graduate point guard Tray Alexander (Freeport, N.Y.), with 22 points and seven assists.
 
It was superior shooting that played a key role in the Bentley win. The Falcons bettered the Setters overall (.451-.424), from three (10-4) and at the line (20-11).
 
Bentley will remain at home for a Saturday matinee against Assumption (3:30 pm).