RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- Following a strong second day in which they improved on their day one score by 20 strokes, the Bentley University Falcons finished 12th in an 18-team field at the Dowling September Shootout, which concluded Saturday at the Long Island National Golf Club.

Counting four scores of 78 or better, the Falcons turned in a 305 to finish the tournament at 630. Over the final 18, Bentley received a career-best even-par 71 from sophomore Matt Michel (Danvers, Mass./Danvers HS) and 78s from senior Nick Mini (Danvers, Mass./St. John's Prep), sophomore Francesco Possio (Torino, Italy) and junior Richie Powers (Leominster, Mass./Leominster HS).

For the tournament, Michel led the Falcons, tying for 26th with a 154 (83-71), and Powers was second, tying for 39th (79-78-157).

St. Thomas Aquinas, with a score of 586, won the team title by 11 strokes over American International, and medalist honors were shared by John Perrine of Wilmington and Thomas Linehan of the winning team. Each finished one-over at 143.

Bentley is back in action next Sunday and Monday when the Northeast-10 Conference Championships are held in Endicott, N.Y.

DOWLING SEPTEMBER SHOOTOUT

At Long Island National GC, Riverhead, N.Y.

Final

Team Scoring: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 285-301-586, 2. American International 292-305-597, 3.  Wilmington 305-295-600, 4. Le Moyne 305-303-608, 5. UMass-Lowell 311-304-615, 6. Concordia 307-310-617, 7. Dowling 315-305-620, 8. Nyack 311-314-625, 9. Adelphi 308-319-627, 9. Assumption 319-308-627, 11. Pace 320-308-628, 12. Bentley 325-305-630, 13. Goldey-Beacom 315-316-631, 14. Saint Rose 315-327-642, 15. Felician 332-315-647, 16. Dominican 345-327-672, 16. Holy Family 339-334-673, 18. Nassau CC 342-336-678.

Top Individuals: 1. John Perrine, Wilmington, 76-67-143; 1. Tom Linehan, St. Thomas Aquinas 68-75-143; 3. John Casey, St. Thomas Aquinas 68-77-145; 4. Kent St. Charles, Pace, 73-74-147; 5. Greg Strattner, AIC, 70-78-148; 5. Rick Bylund, Assumption, 76-72-148; 5. Tommy LeBlanc, AIC, 76-72-148.

Bentley Scores: t-26. Matt Michel, 83-71-154; t-39. Richie Powers, 79-78-157; t-50. Grant Alter 80-80-160; t-54. Francesco Possio, 83-78-161; t-56. Nick Mini, 84-78-162.