WALTHAM, Mass. – After posting a win at Assumption on Saturday, the Bentley University men's basketball team will be looking to gain a split of the season series with Southern New Hampshire University when the Falcons host the division-leading Penmen Wednesday at 7:30 pm.

A live webcast from the Dana Center will be available at www.bentleyfalcons.tv.

With five games left in the regular season for both teams, Bentley is currently  half-game back of Stonehill and one back of Franklin Pierce in the battle for the final two playoff berths from the Northeast-10 Conference's Northeast Division.  The Falcons, 6-4 since Christmas, improved to 10-11 overall and 7-9.

Meanwhile, Merrimack's 85-77 loss to Saint Anselm Tuesday improved Southern New Hampshire's lead in the Northeast Division  to a game-and-a-half overall and two in the loss column in the battle for first. Coach Stan Spirou's team, 16-5 overall and 12-4 NE-10, is undefeated at home this season, including an 87-67 win over Bentley Dec. 3, but only 4-5 on the road, including an 84-81 loss at St. Michael's in its last outing.

Sophomore guard Ryan Richmond (Toronto, Ont./Thomson Collegiate) has been on a scoring tear for the Falcons, scoring at least 18 in each of his last nine games, and now is fourth in the conference in points per game at 21.2. Over the last three, he has totaled 92 points, including 39 in an OT loss to Stonehlll In his last Dana appearance and 27 at Assumption Saturday. That game also saw him collect ten rebounds for his second double-double.

Junior guard Brandon Wheeler (Stamford, Conn./Trinity Catholic HS) also had a double-double out at  Assumption, finishing with 12 points and ten rebounds. It was his seventh of the season, with Bentley 5-2 in those games.

Senior guard Ferguson Duke (Dartmouth, N.S./Hun School (N.S.)) has averaged 10.6 points and six rebounds in his last five games. Over the last seven, he has made half of his 24 three-pointers and 11 of 13 free throws.

Classmate Matt Barr (Stratham, N\.H./Cushing Academy) is on the brink of joining Richmond, Wheeler and injured sophomore Zach Gilpin (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy) on Bentley's list of double-figure scorers. He's scored 10 and 13 the last two games, raising his average output to 9.9.

Southern New Hampshire will come into the Dana with four double-figure scorers, a group that features senior forward Devin Gilligan, the number five scorer in the NE10 at 21.1.  He's had an outstanding year shooting the ball with percentages of .586 overall and .417 from three.  Gilligan has been solid on the road, averaging 19.4 while shooting .500 overall, and has just been outstanding at home (22.4, .654 fg).

Junior forward Chris Walters has also played a key r\\ole in SNHU's success, putting up 17.9 points and 9.2 rebounds a game while leading the team in blocks (39) and steals (24).

The earlier meeting this season saw SNHU double the visiting Falcons in the paint, 40-20, while shooting 65 percent inside the three-point line. Gilligan, who didn't miss a shot in the contest, led the Penmen with 18 points while Richmond's 12 points, which tied his season-low, paced the Falcons.

Bentley, 8-3 on the Dana Center court, will also be at home on Saturday for a 3:30 Alumni Day game against Franklin Pierce.