WALTHAM, Mass. --- Seven different players scored at least seven points, with graduate student Colton Lawrence (Myerstown, Pa./ELCO HS) leading the way with 17 and two loud dunks, as Bentley University returned to the court with a 96-59 win over USciences in non-conference men's basketball at the Dana Center Friday night.

The victory in the season-opener came in the Falcons' first game since February 28, 2020 after having last season cancelled by the pandemic.

After USciences scored the opening basket, Bentley ran off 18 unanswered and was never threatened the rest of the way. The run included a pair of three-balls from Lawrence for the Falcons' first six points of the season and one apiece from senior guards Mason Webb (Oklahoma City, Okla./ Bishop McGuinness HS) and Brian Wright-Kinsey (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooks School).

Following two threes from the visitors, a 16-2 blast gave coach Jay Lawson's club a commanding 34-10 after 12 minutes of play. Webb and junior guard Kellen Bochenek (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont HS) both connected from deep, and both Webb and graduate forward Peter Blust (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale HS) converted three-point plays.

It was 52-27 at the half with all five Bentley starters having at least seven points. In the second half, the Falcon advantage ranged from 24 to 39 points.

Lawrence made half of his 14 shot attempts and also had a half-dozen rebounds. Webb, 6-of-9 overall with three treys, was next on the scoring list with 16 points.

Sophomore guard Zach Laput (Beacon Falls, Conn./Notre Dame HS), in his first collegiate game, provided 12 points off the bench on five-of-five shooting.

Senior guard Jordan Mello-Klein (Sharon/Thayer Academy) just missed a double-double, finishing with ten assists, nine points and seven rebounds. Bochenek buried three triples and established a new career-best with nine points.

USciences was led by sophomore guard Joemel McNair (Bowie, Md.) with 16 points off the Devils' bench.

Bentley outshot USciences 56-39 percent, sank 12 three-pointers and doubled the Devils on the boards, 46-23. Paint points were 44-20, second chance points 17-5 and fast break points 11-0.

The Falcons launch their Northeast-10 Conference schedule Wednesday at Saint Anselm College.