For Immediate Release

March 1, 2012

Reporting help provided by Northeast-10 Member Institutions Athletics Communications Staffs

Top-seeded Bentley University and second-seeded Southern Connecticut State University both survived scares to advance to the Northeast-10 Conference Women's Basketball Championship Game, which will take place Sunday, March 4 at 1 p.m. at Bentley's Dana Center.

Game Recaps

#1 Bentley 69, #4 Franklin Pierce 65, Final - 2OT   BOXSCORE

The top-seeded and sixth-ranked nationally Falcons of Bentley University needed two overtime sessions to advance to the Northeast-10 Championship game, knocking off fourth-seededFranklin Pierce 69-65 Thursday night.

Junior Caleigh Crowell made a three-point shot with seven seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime, and then knocked down another huge triple in the second overtime to propel Bentley to the win.

NE-10 Player of the Year Lauren Battista, a sophomore forward, and junior guard Courtney Finn topped the scoring list for the Falcons, each finishing with 18 points.

The win boosted the nation’s sixth-ranked Division II team to 26-3 overall and sent the Falcons into the championship game for the 23rd time.  Bentley, the tournament’s top seed, will look to repeat as champs Sunday at 1 pm against second-seeded Southern Connecticut State, which edged Pace University in the other semi, 48-47.

#2 So. Connecticut 48, #3 Pace 47   BOXSCORE

Moni Smith-Ocran's lay-up with 24 seconds left in regulation proved to be the difference, as the second-seeded So. Connecticut Owls defeated the third-seeded Pace Setter Thursday night in New Haven.

Despite making just four of 16 free throw attempts during the game, So. Connecticut shot 47% from the floor in the second half, including Smith-Ocran's game deciding shot to advance to the NE-10 Championship game.

Smith-Ocran was the only Owl in double figures as she finished with a team-best twelve points, and added eight rebounds.  Pace's Kerri White led all scorers with 18 in a losing effort.  Pace had a chance to win late in regulation but all-conference forward Brittany Shields stepped out of bounds receiving a pass.