SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Graduate students Matt Leritz (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis University HS) and Brian Wright-Kinsey (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooks School) each scored 17 points and combined to make 14 of 19 shots as Bentley University, the number 14 team in the NABC Division II coaches poll, defeated American International College, 78-64, Saturday in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball at the Butova Gym.

It was the team's tenth consecutive victory, the program's longest single-season streak in a dozen years. Bentley improved to 12-1 overall and 7-1 NE10 while AIC dipped to 4-12, including 2-6 conference.

It was a fast start for the Falcons as they made six of their first nine shots to take a 15-6 lead six minutes into the game. Leritz, who posted his third consecutive double-double, scored seven of his team's first nine to lead the charge.

A 12-2 run produced Bentley's biggest lead of the first half, 18 points at 31-13. That burst included five from senior guard Kellen Bochenek (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont HS) and four from junior guard Aaron Latham (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury HS).

After scoring the first six points of the second half to return the lead to 18, Bentley saw AIC battle back and close to within six several times. But each time, the Falcons were able to regain control.

At 50-44 with over 13 minutes left, Wright-Kinsey sank a triple from the left wing.

A minute later, at 53-47, Bentley ran off eight straight, the beginning of a 13-4 spurt that made it 66-51 with 8:24 to play. Leritz had four of the 13 and junior guard Zach Laput (Beacon Falls, Conn./Notre Dame HS), Latham and graduate guard Mason Webb (Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness HS) each connected from downtown.

The lead would shrink to six two more times, including 70-64 with 2:29 remaining. Bentley closed out the win by scoring the game's final eight points, a run that began with Leritz and Wright-Kinsey baskets, while coming up with five defensive stops.

Leritz, who had 11 rebounds, made eight of ten shots while Wright-Kinsey's six-of-nine included three-of-four from downtown. He also had four rebounds and three blocks.

Laput followed with 15 points and five assists, Webb finished with 12 points and Latham recorded nine points and six assists.

Freshman guard Jack Hall (Avon, Conn.) was the top scorer for AIC with 15 points.

Bentley had an impressive shooting game with the Falcons finishing at .545 overall, .429 from three and .900 from the line. AIC's numbers were .475, .316 and only one free throw attempt, a make.

The next game for the Falcons is at home Wednesday against Assumption (7:30 pm).