GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Junior guards Zach Laput (Beacon Falls, Conn./Notre Dame HS) and Aaron Latham (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury HS) each scored 20 points, but it wasn't enough as the Bentley University men's basketball team lost to Adelphi University, 86-80, in Northeast-10 Conference action Tuesday night at the Center for Recreation and Sport.

The loss, just the fourth of the season for the 16^th-ranked Falcons but the third in the last six games, dropped Bentley (17-4, 12-4 NE10) into a three-way tie for first in the NE10, with the two teams from Manchester, N.H., Saint Anselm and Southern New Hampshire.

 The trio of senior guard Ronnie Silva (Nashua, N.H.) and freshmen Dayshaun Walton (Albany, N.Y.) and Elijah Lewis (Watchung, N.J.) carried Adelphi (11-14, 5-12 NE10) as they combined for 80 points, including 46 of 48 points in the second half.

An early 15-3 run resulted in a 20-12 Bentley lead midway through the opening half. Five different players scored with graduate guard Mason Webb (Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness HS) leading the way with five.

By the time the halftime horn sounded, Bentley was down three, 38-35, after being outscored 14-8 over the final seven minutes. Lewis accounted for six of the 14, giving him a 20-point opening half.

Webb's three early in the second half brought Bentley to within one, 43-42, but the Panthers never relinquished the lead they took for good on a Lewis jumper with 5:18 left in the first half.

The difference peaked at 10 a couple times, including with 4:19 to play on a Walton triple from the left wing.

Bentley wasn't done, despite closing to within two, 79-77, with 31 seconds left after scoring eight points in 19 seconds. Laput buried a three, Adelphi made one of two free throws, Webb scored on a driving layup, Webb came up with a steal and Latham drained a three.

However, Adelphi was able to close out the game by making seven of eight free throws in the final 29 seconds. Bentley graduate guard Brian Wright-Kinsey (Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooks School) had a chance to tie with about 11 seconds left, but his three was off the mark and collected by Lewis.

Silva led all scorers with 32 points. Lewis finished with 25 and Walton tallied 23, all but two after intermission.

Latham posted his first career 20-point game with 16 of those markers coming in the second half when he was six of seven overall with three treys. Laput, in addition to scoring 20, had eight rebounds and three steals.

Bentley also received 12 points and ten rebounds from Webb as well as nine points and ten boards from Wright-Kinsey.

16 turnovers and 22 fouls, resulting in 28 free throw attempts by Adelphi, were costly to the Falcons, who had the rebound advantage, 41-31. The Panthers shot 54 percent in the second half, finished at .491 overall, and made six more free throws. Each team had 28 field goals and nine three-balls.

Bentley will look to bounce back Saturday when the Falcons take on Pace in the first of a two-game homestand.