SPARKILL, N.Y. – Senior forward Megan Lewis (Sevenoaks, England) and senior center Monica Viapiano (Holden, Mass./Holy Name HS) each scored 15 points as Bentley University handed previously unbeaten St. Thomas Aquinas College its first loss of the season, 64-51, in non-conference women's basketball Saturday afternoon at the Aquinas Hall Gym.

Lewis scored the game's first five points, on a jumper and a three-pointer, and the 5-3 Falcons remained in front of the 7-1 Falcons the rest of the way. It was a nice bounce-back win for Bentley after a Saturday afternoon loss at Molloy College in the first game of the trip.

Bentley led by as many as 11, 20-9, in an opening quarter that ended with the Falcons up six, 20-14. It was a 10-point quarter for Lewis, who made all four of her shots from the floor.

The Spartans, who were held to more than 30 points below their season norm of 84.9, drew within three, 25-22, following a three-point play by sophomore guard Alexa Huertas (Garnerville, N.Y.) with 5:17 left in the second. Bentley countered with seven straight points, including the first basket of the season from sophomore guard Kolleen Bouchard (Houlton, Maine/Houlton HS). The flurry also included a basket from Viapiano and a three-pointer from junior guard Katie Meriggioli (Waunakee, Wisc./Edgewood HS).

Bentley's third-quarter lead ranged from eight to 17 points. Viapiano came up big in the quarter, making 4-of-4 shots for eight points.

The fourth quarter was the only one that the Falcons didn't win, but STAC never challenged with the differential remaining in double figures and peaking at 18 following two free throws from freshman guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) with 8:39 to play,

Lewis (6-for-9) and Viapiano (7-for-10) combined to make nearly 70 percent of their shots. Both collected seven rebounds and Lewis also had a pair of assists.

Bentley also received nine points apiece from Meriggioli and senior forward Maddy Springfield (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant HS). They also played a role in Bentley dominating the rebounds, 43-24, with Meriggioli grabbing nine and Springfield seven.

St. Thomas Aquinas was led by senior guard Ruth Adams (San Diego, Calif.). and six-foot senior Melissa Sadler (Milton, N.Y.), with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Both made five of 11 shots from the floor while their teammates were just 8 of 44.

Bentley outshot the home team 44-37 percent and limited the Spartans to just three three-pointers in 18 attempts. The Falcons gained the win despite turning the ball over 11 more times than STAC, losing it 19 times.

Bentley has a pair of road conference games this week, at Assumption Wednesday and at Franklin Pierce Saturday.