COLCHESTER, Vt. – Senior center Monica Viapiano (Holden, Mass./Holy Name HS) was a force inside, scoring a career-high 25 points in 22 minutes, as Bentley University led St. Michael's College from the opening basket and finished with a 70-50 win in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball Wednesday night at the Ross Sports Center.

Bentley, number 19 in this week's D2SIDA media poll, extended its winning streak to seven while improving to 11-3 overall and 6-0 in the NE10. St. Michael's, held to a season-low point total, fell to 7-5 with its fifth loss in six conference games. The win was the 1,050th for legendary Bentley coach Barbara Stevens.

The Falcons wasted no time asserting themselves, scoring the game's first 12 points, and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final three quarters.

The game began with opening minute three-pointers from graduate forward Megan Lewis (Sevenoaks, England) and sophomore guard Kari Brekke (Appleton, Wisc./Appleton North HS). Two Viapiano inside baskets followed and by the time Brekke hit a short jumper with 7:06 on the first quarter clock, Bentley was on top 12-0.

In front 21-11 after one due in large part to 10 points from Viapiano, Bentley opened the second with a 12-2 run, making it a 33-13 game with more than six minutes still to play in the quarter. That run included six points from another Falcon center, this time junior Erin Nolan (Binghamton, N.Y./ Susquehanna Valley HS).

The first half ended with Bentley up 37-20 and Viapiano owning 14 points. The Falcons limited the Purple Knights to 21 percent shooting while outscoring the home team 18-8 in the paint and 8-0 from the foul line.

After St. Michael's drew within 12 late in the third, Bentley put the game away with another run, this time 9-2 to go up 61-42 with 7:44 left to play. Four different Falcons scored, including Viapiano who had both a free throw and a lay-up.

Viapiano, whose previous best was 22 points, made 10 of 14 field goals and also had eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and a block.

Brekke was the only other Falcon to score in doubles, finishing with 10 points and three steals. Lewis complemented her seven points with nine rebounds and three assists.

St. Michael's was led by senior guard Brianna Purcell (Bedford, N.H.), who finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Like most of her teammates, she struggled from the floor, making just 6 of 18.

Bentley outshot the Purple Knights 44-29 percent and came down with nine more rebounds, 47-38. Points in the paint were a commanding 42-22.

Bentley will return home to host Southern Connecticut State Saturday at 1:30 pm.