GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Senior forward Kelly Mannix (Barrington, R.I.) scored 19 points, six-foot sophomore Calli Balfour (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) followed with 15 and both collected eight rebounds as Adelphi University, the seventh-ranked team in Division II, rolled to a 77-45 win over Bentley University in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball Wednesday night at the Center for Recreation and Sports.

Adelphi ran its record to 15-1 overall (8-1 NE-10) while Bentley dropped to 7-9 (2-8 NE-10) after seeing its losing streak reach four.

After back-to-back baskets by Bentley freshman guard Lauren Green (Damascus, Md./ Damascus HS) brought the Falcons within three at 11-8, Adelphi seized control of the contest with a 22-2 explosion that made it a 23-point differential with about five minutes left in the first half.

That run began with 10 straight points, the first seven scored by Mannix. After Falcon junior guard Jane White (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan HS) ended a six-minute scoring drought with a long jumper, the Panthers countered with 12 straight, a run that included the team's fourth and fifth three-pointers of the opening half and a three-point second-chance play by sophomore forward Sierra Clark (Hughesville, Md.).

During that first half, Bentley was held to 25 percent shooting and outrebounded by 20, 31-11. Adelphi also had an 18-2 advantage in points off turnovers even though it had nearly as many turns (9) as the Falcons (10).

The closest Bentley would get in the second half was 24 after two baskets by sophomore post Jen Gemma (Milton, Mass./Fontbonne Academy) made it a 42-18 count with 17:40 to play.

Gemma, despite a rough shooting night (4-16) led Bentley with 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard Kristin Brown (Poulsbo, Wash./North Kitsap HS) followed with seven off the bench, and Bentley also received six apiece from Green and senior forward Carlene Kluge (Reading, Mass./Reading HS).

Mannix's 19 points included a trio of three balls, and she also delivered five assists. Balfour was 7 of 11 overall and had five of her team's 12 steals. The Panthers also received ten points and eight rebounds off the bench from Clark.

Adelphi shot 46 percent overall, knocked down ten three-pointers and survived 26 turnovers by dominating the boards, 54-23, including 23 at the offensive end. Bentley, held to a .288 field goal percentage with only one three-pointer, managed only nine points off the 26 Adelphi turns. In contrast, the home team turned the 21 Falcon giveaways into 34 points.

Bentley will look to get back on the winning track Saturday with a 1:30 home game against American International.