CALDWELL, N.J. – Showing why she's earned WBCA All-America honors twice already in her career, Bentley University senior forward Lauren Battista (North Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames HS) embarked on a personal 11-0 run to power the nation's number one-ranked Division II women's basketball team to a 75-58 non-conference win over Caldwell College at the Newman Center Sunday afternoon.

The 11 straight, in a span of 3:16, turned a four-point game into a 59-44 Falcon advantage with 8:31 to play. That grew into a larger 17-3 burst, giving 2-0 Bentley a 65-47 lead with 6:45 remaining.

Battista, tenth on Bentley's all-time scoring list with 1,545 points, finished with a game-high 23 on 11-of-18 shooting and also provided seven rebounds and four assists.

The two-time Capital One Academic All-America® began her takeover of the contest with a short jumper. That was followed by a turn-around in the lane, an inside basket, a three-point play after her own backcourt steal and another turn-around in the lane.

Senior forward Tyler Parker Kimball (New Britain, Conn./New Britain HS) finished off that run by scoring the next six Falcon points to produce Bentley's biggest lead of the day at 18.

Prior to Battista asserting herself, the two teams were never separated by more than seven. Caldwell jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead while Bentley led by seven a few times during the opening minutes of the second half.

Battista and grad student Courtney Finn (Winthrop, Mass./Winthrop HS) each had ten points and freshman forward Jen Gemma (Milton, Mass./Fontbonne Acad.) provided nine points and eight rebounds in a first half that ended with the Falcons up six, 37-31. Turnovers hurt the visitors during the opening 20 minutes with 13 giveaways resulting in 19 Caldwell points.

One who didn't turn the ball over was senior point guard Christiana Bakolas (Manchester, N.H./ Central HS). She finished with nine assists and no turnovers, with six of her helpers delivered before intermission.

Finn was the only Falcon other than Battista to score in doubles, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Gemma led the team in rebounds for the second straight game, collecting 11 while coming within a point of a double-double. Kimball made the most of her nine minutes of playing time, giving the Falcons nine points and six rebounds.

Bentley outshot the Cougars, the preseason favorite in the CACC North, 46-37 percent and dominated the boards, 51-33.

Three players scored 11 points for Caldwell in its season-opening, including junior guard Jessica Coscia (Staten Island, N.Y.). who also had six assists.

Bentley will open its Northeast-10 Conference schedule Wednesday with a 5:30 pm game at Saint Anselm College in the finale of a three straight on the road to open the season.