EASTON, Mass. – Despite 23 points apiece from sophomore forward Chris Hudson (Hodgdon, Maine/Northampton Williston School) and junior guard Ryan Richmond (Toronto, Ont./Thomson Collegiate), the Bentley University Falcons dropped a 74-70 decision to Stonehill College in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball Wednesday evening at the Merkert Gym.

Bentley, which continued its pattern of alternating game results that dates back to December, dropped to 11-9 overall while Stonehill improved to 12-9. Both teams left the court with 8-7 conference records, good for a three-way tie for third in the Northeast Division.

After trailing most of the first half and eight lead changes in the first 14 minutes of the second, Stonehill took charge with a 14-4 run. Four different Skyhawks provided points during that stretch, including senior guard KJ Lee (Huntington Station, N.Y.), whose lay-up with 1:56 to play made it 65-56.

Stonehill senior guard Ryan Roach (Weymouth) made two free throws with 52.3 seconds to play, extending his team's lead to nine. However, Bentley wasn't done. While the home team was missing free throws (four of five, including the front end of a one-and-one), the Falcons were steadily closing the gap at the other end.

Freshman Jordan Mello-Klein (Sharon/Thayer Academy) hit a three from the left corner with 29.8 seconds left to make it a six-point game, Richmond scored on a drive with 21.9 for a five-point difference and Richmond brought the Falcons within two, 70-68, with 14.4 to play with a drive and a free throw.

Stonehill attempted four more free throws and locked up the outcome by making them all.

Points were at a premium in a first half with neither team having much success putting the ball in the basket. Bentley, due in large part to an 11-0 advantage in second chance points, took a 27-26 lead into the break. The Falcons shot 34 percent, including only 1 of 11 from deep, and the Skyhawks were worse, 29 percent overall and 20 percent (4/20) inside the arc.

The first of nine second-half lead changes came with 13:26 to play after Stonehill freshman Owen Chose (Eden Prairie, Minn.) sank a triple to cap a 7-0 run and make it 40-39 Skyhawks.

Hudson, 10 of 17 from the floor, also gave Bentley six rebounds and two steals while coming within two of his career-high. Richmond complemented his 23 with seven boards and four helpers. Bentley also received a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double from senior forward Brandon Wheeler (Stamford, Conn./Trinity Catholic HS).

Lee led Stonehill with 16 points, all but three coming after the break, and sophomore guard Will Moreton (Minneapolis, Minn.) followed with 15, including 11 in the first half to keep his team close.

Superior three-point shooting by Stonehill was much of the difference in a game where Bentley had the edge in overall shooting (.417-.400) and rebounding (45-39). The Skyhawks buried 8 of 22 while Bentley was only 3-for-21, including an uncharacteristic 1-for-17 from a starting five that is usually on target from downtown.

Bentley will look to get back on track Saturday with a 3:30 pm home game against Assumption.