WALTHAM, Mass. – Two game-tying free throws by junior guard John Calarco (New Rochelle, N.Y.) ignited a game-ending 10-0 run and two more by senior guard Richard Harkins (Bellmore, N.Y.) gave Adelphi University back the lead as the Panthers rallied for a 64-56 win over Bentley University in Northeast-10 Conference men's basketball Tuesday night at the Dana Center.

The two clubs entered the night even at the top of the NE-10 standings, but despite Bentley twice taking the lead in the final three minutes, it was the visitors who left the court in sole possession of first place. Adelphi improved to 9-3 in conference play and Bentley slipped into a four-way tie for second at 8-4.  Both teams are 12-4 overall on the season.

Bentley guards Jasper Grassa (Lynn/Lynn Classical HS) and Sam Leclerc (Fayette, Maine/ Winthrop HS) were the game's top scorers, with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Calarco and senior guard Robert Johnson (New Rochelle, N.Y.) each scored 14 for Adelphi.

The second half began on a promising note for Bentley with Leclerc draining a three-ball to make it a five-point lead, 33-28. However, turnovers (13 in the second half, leading to 17 AU points), a stretch of over eight minutes without a field goal (and only two made free throws) and nine offensive rebounds that resulted in eight second-chance points for Adelphi were costly.

Despite those woes, Bentley was still in the game with 4:45 left to play, trailing by just seven (50-43), and eventually took the lead twice.

Leclerc connected on a three-pointer with 4:38 on the clock, launching an 11-2 run that returned the lead to the Falcons. Four free throws by Leclerc brought Bentley within one and Grassa sank a triple from the right wing with 2:31 left for a 54-52 lead.

After an Adelphi basket, Leclerc sank two from the foul line with 1:56 left, putting his team back up two, 56-54.  Those proved to be the Falcons' final points of the night with the Falcons coming up empty on its final four possessions, including a pair of turnovers.

The tying free throws by Calarco and go-ahead charity tosses by Harkins were followed by a short jumper by junior guard Chris Ranglin (Yonkers, N.Y.), two more free throws by Johnson and a final basket by Calarco.

The second-half carelessness with the ball was in sharp contrast to the opening 20 minutes with Bentley lost the ball only four times, half as many as Adelphi, and had a 10-0 advantage in points off.

Grassa, a sophomore, hit four of seven threes en route to his 18 points, and he also led the Falcons with five rebounds. Leclerc's night included two triples and 9 of 11 from the foul line. Freshmen J.P. Koury (Red Bank, N.J./CBA) and Andrew Shaw (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) each played a key role in Bentley's first-half success, both scoring all of their eight points before the break.

Adelphi outshot the Falcons 45-40 percent overall and had a nine-rebound advantage, 34-25. Bentley hit four more three-pointers (10-6) and had a similar margin in free throws made (12-8).

Bentley is on the road Saturday, playing a 1:30 game at New Haven, which is one of the three teams even with the Falcons in the standings.