NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The No. 11 Bentley women's basketball team's quest to defend its NCAA East Regional title came to an end Saturday when the Falcons lost to Daemen, 58-55, in the NCAA East Regional Semifinals hosted by Southern Connecticut.

Junior Niya Morgen scored her 1,000^th career point by making a 3-pointer in front of the Bentley bench in the third quarter. She is the 40^th Falcon in program history to reach the millennial mark.

Bentley (23-25) trailed for a majority of the first three quarters. Still, the #2 Falcons always kept within striking distance, and they made their move in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons were in a 44-38 deficit early in the fourth quarter, but things started to turn around when Julia Elie earned a trip to the free-throw line. She made both attempts. Following a defensive stop, Cassidy Yeomans hit a 3-pointer to bring the Falcons to within a point, 44-43, with 8:16 on the clock.

Bentley finally took the lead, 47-46, when Elie scored in the paint with 5:50 on the clock. It was the Falcons' second lead of the game – the first came in the second quarter (21-20). Bentley built on its advantage, 49-46, when Cherish Bryant put back an offensive rebound.

#3 Daemen fought to get back out in front, 52-51, with 3:17 left in regulation. That's when a series of miscues started to hurt the Falcons. A Bentley turnover led to two points on the other end of the floor, and the Falcons found themselves down, 54-51.

Morgen hit a jump shot to make it a one-point game, but Bentley's miscues resurface. The Falcons committed a back court violation with just over one minute left in regulation. In Bentley's next possession, the Daemen defense tied up the Falcons and reclaimed possession on a called jump ball.

Morgen made a layup to make it a one-possession deficit, 58-55, with a few ticks left on the clock. Although Daemen threw away the ensuing inbounds pass, there wasn't enough time on the clock for Bentley to get a good look at a 3-pointer.

Morgen finish with a team-high 14 points, and Julia Elie added 12. Kayana Armbrister led all players in rebounding with 10 boards. The Falcons dominated on the glass, 37-24.

Bentley's season comes to an end after winning the 2025-26 Northeast 10 Regular Season Championship, and earning the program's 40^th NCAA Championship appearance.