WORCESTER, Mass. – For the second consecutive game - and the fourth time this season - five Falcons scored in double figures as the Bentley men's basketball team survived an offensive showdown at Assumption, 85-81, Saturday afternoon. It is the highest combined score (regulation) in a Bentley game this season.
Both teams shot over 50-percent from the floor. Bentley shot 51.7-percent, and Assumption was on the mark 50.8-percent of the time.
The Falcons (11-5, 4-3 NE10) got much-needed contributions off the bench.
Mantas Zilys (12 points) and
Joe Carroll (10 points, seven rebounds) combined for 22 points and 8-for-15 shooting overall.
Cooper Farrall led all players in scoring with 23 points.
Cash McClure added 15 points, and
Ivan Misic finished with 14.
Although The Flacons held a 34-33 lead at halftime, the Greyhounds (10-6, 4-2 NE1) took a 40-37 lead two minutes into the second half. Bentley trailed by a point when Farrall hit a 3-pointer to give the Falcons a 55-53 lead with 12:50 on the clock. Bentley didn't trail for the rest of the game, but it wasn't easy to stay in front.
Zilys hit a trey to push the advantage to eight points, 64-56, midway through the second half. That lead dwindled to two points, 73-71, with 4:29 on the clock. Farrall drew a foul and sank both free-throws to give Bentley a little more cushion, 75-71. Overall for the game, he shot 6-for-6 from the line.
Another Zilys 3-pointer appeared to be the dagger, increasing the lead to 79-72 with just over two minutes left in regulation. But once again, Assumption fought back to get to within two points.
The Greyhounds hit a 3-pointer to make it an 81-79 game with 48 seconds remaining. A frenetic pace ensued, as both teams committed turnovers down the stretch. Still, Bentley held Assumption off the scoreboard, which forced the Greyhounds to foul. Misic and McClure combined to shoot 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final 10 seconds of the game, locking in Bentley's third consecutive win.
The Falcons have another road game at Pace Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m.
