WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore forward Ciara Norman (Roebling, N.J./Life Center Academy) was a force off the bench for Bentley University Wednesday night as she provided a team-leading 13 points, seven rebounds and two assists in the Falcons' 59-48 win over the University of New Haven in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball on Barbara Stevens Court.

Bentley, the 18^th-ranked team in the WBCA preseason coaches poll, improved to 3-0 overall after capturing its home and NE10 opener. New Haven dropped to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

The first half was a tale of two quarters as Bentley owned the first 10 minutes and the second stanza belonged to New Haven. As a result, it was a one-point Falcon lead, 25-24, when the two teams headed into intermission.

Coach C White's Falcons made nine of 14 shots in the first, including four-of-four by Norman, to open a 21-8 lead. Norman, with nine points, bettered the Chargers' point total by one.

New Haven outscored the home team 16-4 in the second with the Falcons making only one field goal in ten attempts and scoring on only two of 17 possessions.

After the Chargers scored the first four points of the third quarter, Bentley ran off the next eight to take a lead it would not give up. Junior guard Amanda Kabantu (Portland, Maine/Portland HS) scored on a putback, senior forward Maggie Whitmore (South Portland, Maine/South Portland HS) made two free throws and scored on a drive, and graduate guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) connected from mid-range.

Bentley opened the game up by outscoring New Haven 16-4 over the first eight minutes of the final stanza. Six different players combined for the 16 with Norman sinking four free throws.

Norman, who made four of seven shots and finished a team-best +19, was joined in doubles by Whitmore. She was also four of seven from the field and had four rebounds and three dimes.

The balanced attack also included eight from freshman guard Niya Morgan (Swampscott/St. Mary's HS), seven apiece from Thompson and sophomore guard Cassidy Yeomans (Marion/Tabor Academy) and six from junior forward Kylie DuCharme (Wilmington/Wilmington HS). DuCharme matched Norman's team-high seven rebounds.

Graduate post Aurora Deshaies (Syracuse, N.Y.), who scored her 1,000^th career point in the second half, led New Haven with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Statistically, Bentley had the edge in most categories, including 29-4 in bench points and 13-2 in free throws with the Falcons perfect at the stripe. Field goal percentage (40-37 percent) and rebounds (37-33) were among the categories that favored the home team.

Bentley returns to non-conference play Saturday with a 6 pm game at Saint Thomas Aquinas.