WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore forward Chris Hudson (Hodgdon, Maine/Northampton Williston School) scored 23 points, including 10 during a 23-1 first-half run, and senior forward Brandon Wheeler (Stamford, Conn./Trinity Catholic HS) celebrated Senior Day with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double as Bentley University shut down Merrimack College, 72-54, in Northeast-Conference men's basketball Saturday afternoon at the Dana Center.

With the victory in the penultimate game of the regular season, Bentley (14-11, 11-9 NE10) clinched a berth in the upcoming conference championship tournament and secured a winning record for the 22nd time in the last 23 seasons. Merrimack, which was held to only 15 first-half points, slipped to 17-10 overall and 13-7 conference.

Following seven lead changes in the game's first nine minutes, Bentley closed out the first half with a 23-1 blitz to take a 20-point lead, 35-15, into the break. During that 10-plus minute stretch, the Warriors missed 13 straight from the floor, committed three turnovers and misfired on three of four free throws.

The run began with a steal and lay-up by freshman guard Jordan Mello-Klein (Sharon/ Thayer Academy) tying the game at 14. Hudson netted the next four on free throws, junior guard Ryan Richmond (Toronto, Ont./Thomson Collegiate HS) hit a 19-footer, Hudson scored on a put-back, sophomore guard Seth Stankiewicz (Reading, Pa./Hill School) delivered a three-pointer and Hudson scored again for a 27-14 lead.

After a Merrimack free throw, the run continued with a lay-up from junior forward Zach Gilpin (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy), two Stankiewicz free throws, a drive from Mello-Klein and a baseline jumper by Hudson.

The start of the second half was completely different with Merrimack scoring the first 12 points to cut the 20-point lead to eight in less than five minutes. The Warriors remained in control and eventually got as close as two, 45-43, on a driving lay-up from sophomore guard Juvaris Hayes (Paterson, N.J.) with eight minutes left.

Bentley, patient all afternoon against the Warriors' zone, regained control with a 19-3 run that gave the Falcons a commanding 64-46 lead with three minutes left. Wheeler had ten of the 19, including a three-ball to make it an 18-point game, and Richmond added six during that stretch.

Hudson achieved his 23 by making five of nine from the field, including his only three-pointer, and sinking all 12 of his free throws. He also helped out with six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Wheeler posted his season-high point total without missing a shot (5-5 fg, 5-5 ft) and also had a pair of steals.

Bentley also received 16 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists from Richmond.

Hayes led Merrimack with 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals before fouling out with about a minute-and-a-half to play.

Bentley shot 48 percent overall, including 17 of 29 inside the three-point line, and limited the Warriors to 37.5 percent, including only 4 of 21 from three. The Falcons had a major advantage at the foul line, making 26 of 27 as compared to the Warriors' 8 of 15, and were a plus-ten on the boards, 45-35.

Bentley will close out the regular season Tuesday with a 7:30 pm game at Franklin Pierce.