For Immediate Release
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December 14, 2011
South Easton, Mass. – In the latest USA Today/ESPN Division II Coaches' Poll, Bentley University claimed 31 of 32 first-place votes to remain the nation's top women's basketball program, marking the third consecutive week the Falcons have been selected atop the rankings. Bentley received 798 points in the poll.
Assumption College moved up two spots to No. 12 in the country while Franklin Pierce University slipped to No. 19 in the national ranks. For Assumption, it is the highest ranking in the history of the women's basketball program. It is the fourth straight week that all three Northeast-10 Conference schools have been in the Top-25.
Bentley (9-0, 7-0 NE-10) traveled to Franklin Pierce (6-2, 5-2 NE-10) last Wednesday in a crucial Northeast-10 matchup where it ultimately prevailed, 73-59, but the Falcons had to overcome a nine-point deficit in the second half. The Ravens went on a 17-6 run coming out of halftime, but Bentley held them to just six points over the final 14 minutes to claim victory. Sophomore Lauren Battista had a game-high 21 points for the Falcons.
Bentley followed up with a 57-42 win at Stonehill College on Saturday to remain undefeated. Sophomore Jacqui Brugliera had a 26-point, 10-rebound effort in the victory and was named the Northeast-10 Player of the Week after averaging 19.5 points and nine rebounds in Bentley's two wins.
Next up for the No. 1 Falcons will be a Sunday road contest at C.W. Post (1:30 p.m.).
Franklin Pierce suffered another defeat on Saturday to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, falling 77-65 after owning a six-point lead with 12 minutes to go. The River Hawks went on a 15-3 run to seal the victory, as it marked the first time Franklin Pierce has lost two straight by 10 or more points since 2005-06.
Nonetheless, the Ravens remained among the top-25 despite the 0-2 week. They will travel to Dowling on Sunday for a 12:00 p.m. contest. Dowling received votes in the latest national poll.
Meanwhile, Assumption (8-0, 6-0 NE-10) maintained its unblemished record with a 63-60 victory at home over The College of Saint Rose in the team's only game of the week. Kelly Meredith and Katy Howard had 18 points apiece in the win.
The No. 12 Greyhounds received 438 points in the poll, which was 79 points ahead of the No. 13 spot and just 22 points behind the 11th-ranked team. They will travel to Pace University on Saturday afternoon for a 1:30 p.m. contest.
To view this week's Northeast-10 Women's Basketball Report, click here.
The Northeast-10 is an association of 16 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 5,500 student-athletes. Each year, 4,000 of those student-athletes compete in Conference championships in 23 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
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