EASTON, Mass. – Jacqui Brugliera (Fitchburg/Wachusett Reg.HS) scored a season-best 26 points, Lauren Battista (North Easton/Oliver Ames HS) followed with 14 , and the two sophomore forwards combined for 24 rebounds as Bentley University, the number one-ranked team in Division II, shut down Stonehill College, 57-42, in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball Saturday afternoon at Merkert Gymnasium.

Bentley held the Skyhawks to a season-low point total and just 28 percent shooting while improving to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the NE-10. It marked the fifth time this year that Bentley has held a team in the 40's.

After falling behind briefly, Bentley took the lead for good with a Brugliera-powered 10-3 surge that put the visitors in front 16-11 midway through the opening half. The six-footer had six of the ten, including the first five with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws.

A three-point game with six minutes left in the first half, the Falcons extended their lead to nine by intermission, 29-20. The 8-2 spurt included three points apiece by Brugliera and Battista, and a basket by junior guard Courtney Finn (Winthrop/Winthrop HS) to beat the buzzer.

After the Skyhawks (5-5, 2-5 NE-10) opened the second half scoring with a pair of free throws, Brugliera embarked on a personal 7-0 run, with two inside baskets and three free throws, to make it a 14-point game, 36-22, with 16:39 to play.

The Bentley lead remained in double figures over the final 18:32 and peaked at 17 a couple times, including 49-32 after a basket from senior guard Katherine Goodwin (Goffstown, N.H./ Governors Academy).

Brugliera finished 8 of 12 from the field, with two three-pointers, and also sank eight of ten free throws as she made more from the line than Stonehill (5 of 7) took. In addition, she had ten rebounds, a steal and a block in a solid all-around effort.

Battista matched her point total with a career-best 14 rebounds, and Finn followed with eight points.

Senior guard Priscilla Dodoo (Worcester) was the only double-figure scorer for Stonehill as she finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

Bentley outshot the Skyhawks, 38-28 percent, and had a significant edge at the foul line, making 17 of 24 as compared to five of seven.  Turnovers were even at 14, and the Falcons had  seven more rebounds, 43-36.

Bentley's next game is Dec. 18 at C.W. Post.