WALTHAM, Mass. -- Bentley University women's basketball coach Barbara Stevens has been named the Russell/WBCA Division II Region 1 Coach of the Year by the Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. It's the eighth time that the Women's Basketball Hall of Famer has been selected as the region's top coach, the first time since 2003.

Stevens, who became the fifth coach in women's basketball history to reach the 800-win plateau and finished the year with 821 career victories, led the Falcons to a 28-5 season and their first Elite Eight appearance since 2003. Bentley, which improved on last year's win total by nine games, captured the regular season and playoff championships in the Northeast-10 Conference before earning their 11th NCAA Division II regional title.

Bentley's magical season came to an end on Tuesday when they dropped an 83-61 decision to Clayton State in the opening game of the Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo. Clayton State went on to capture the national championship in convincing fashion.

Stevens, whose resume includes three WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year awards, was previously named the Northeast-10 Coach of the Year for the record 13th time.