SECOND-RANKED BENTLEY TOPS MEN'S BASKETBALL
WALTHAM, Mass. (February 15, 2007) - Senior forward
Jeff Holmes (Westbrook, Maine/Cheverus HS) scored a game-high 18
points, and junior point guard Yusuf Abdul-Ali (Springfield/New
Leadership Charter School) added 15 points, five rebounds and five
assists, as Bentley extended the best start in New England Division
II and Northeast-10 Conference history to 24-0 with an
87-56 win over American International College in men's
basketball action at the Dana Center Thursday night.
AIC, which had won nine of its previous 11 games and had entered the game in fourth place in the conference, fell to 14-11 overall and 12-8 NE-10.
AIC was led by senior forward Magen McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa.), with 17 points, seven rebounds and six steals, and sophomore guard Vernon Dupree (Wilmington, Del.), with 13 points.
Bentley used a 21-3 explosion to open a 25-8 lead midway through the first half. The Falcons finished the first half with an 8-0 run and took a commanding 24-point bulge into the break, 51-27.
Holmes led the way in the first half, scoring 15 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, in only 12 minutes. His accuracy inside helped Bentley shoot 58 percent as a team during the opening stanza.
Bentley remained firmly in control throughout the second half, with the lead never dipping below 21 points. It hit 30 for the first time with 5:13 left, and eventually peaked at 33 with under two minutes left.
Holmes (6-8 from the floor) and Abdul-Ali (6-9 shooting with two threes) were joined in doubles by junior forward Nate Fritsch (Durham, N.C./Woodberry Forest HS), freshman guard Jason Westrol (Brielle, N.J./ Manasquan HS) and senior guard Josh Correia (Bedford, N.H./Trinity HS). Fritsch had 13 points, five assists and three steals, Westrol scored 11 on 5-of-6 shhoting, and Correia added 11 points and four rebounds.
Bentley also received eight points and six rebounds off the bench from senior forward Matt Bates (Oxford, Conn./Notre Dame HS).
AIC, which has already locked up a home game in the upcoming Northeast-10 Tournament for the first time since the 2001-02 season, hosts Saint Rose Saturday as it looks to secure a top-four finish in the NE-10 standings, ensuring a first-round bye. Game time at Butova Gymnasium is 3:30 pm.