Highlights (courtesy Pack Network)

WALTHAM, Mass.  – Junior forward Caleigh Crowell (Harwich/Worcester Academy) drained a game-tying three with 6.9 seconds left in regulation and added another big three during a 7-0 run to start the second overtime as Bentley University overcame frigid shooting to outlast Franklin Pierce University 69-65 in the Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball semifinals Thursday night at the Dana Center.

Conference Player of the Year Lauren Battista (North Easton/Oliver Ames HS), a sophomore forward, and junior guard Courtney Finn (Winthrop/Winthrop HS) topped the scoring list for the Falcons, each finishing with 18 points.

The win boosted the nation's sixth-ranked Division II team to 26-3 overall and sent the Falcons into the championship game for the 23rd time.  Bentley, the tournament's top seed, will look to repeat as champs Sunday at 1 pm against second-seeded Southern Connecticut State, which edged Pace University in the other semi, 48-47.

Bentley, which shot just 18 percent in the first half and 26 for the game, didn't take its first lead until less than five minutes were left on the second-half clock. That came during a quick 6-0 spurt that featured a steal and lay-up from sophomore guard Christiana Bakolas (Manchester, N.H./Central HS) to break a 44-all tie. Finn followed with a put-back, making it 48-44 Bentley with 4:07 on the clock.

The next seven points went up on the Franklin Pierce side of the scoreboard, a run capped by junior forward Amanda Saab (Windham, N.H.) making one of two free throws with one minute left to put FPU up 51-48.  That free throw miss would prove costly to the visitors.

After both teams missed a shot and a Franklin Pierce shot clock violation with 15.7 seconds left, it was Bentley ball.  Crowell took the three from out in front, the ball bouncing up off the rim before dropping back through with 6.9 seconds left, evening the game at 51. At the other end, Saab got off an off-balance shot just before the buzzer and Crowell corralled it to force the first extra session.

It was Bentley that had the three-point lead late in the first OT, and this time, Franklin Pierce got the tying triple. Junior Tiffany Johnson (St. Albans, Vt.) sending it through the net from just left of center with 23 seconds left, evening things at 58-all. Ironically, while Bentley dominated in terms of second-chance points all night (21-7), that three came after an offensive board from Saab.

Battista's attempt at a late game-winner didn't fall and the two teams were headed for a second OT session.

The Falcons came out of the gate strong to begin the second with two free throws apiece from Finn and sophomore forward Jacqui Brugliera (Fitchburg/Wachusett Reg. HS), and a corner three by Crowell making it 65-58 halfway through. Bentley twice restored the lead to seven, on a Battista basket with 1:44 to play and on two more from the line by Brugliera with 56 seconds left after she grabbed her team's 21st offensive rebound.  A desperation three at the buzzer accounted for the final four-point spread.

Bentley trailed by as many as 11 in the first half before cutting the deficit at intermission to six, 33-27. Fourteen free throws, in 17 attempts, helped the team stay close during a half that saw the Ravens have as many three-pointers (6) as the Falcons had total field goals. Coach Barbara Stevens' finished the half with an 8-3 spurt over the final four minutes, with all three FPU points coming from the line.

The first tie of the game came at 42-42 with 13:27 left when a Battista lay-up capped an 11-3 run that began with the first of Crowell's three trifectas.  That tying basket would be the last points scored by either team until the clock dipped under seven minutes and Saab made a lay-up.  Bentley's drought ended with 4:55 when a fast-break finished by Battista began the 6-0 run that gave the Falcons their first lead.

Finn complemented her 18 points with five steals and eight rebounds, and Battista finished with five boards, four at the offensive end. Both got to the line with regularity, Finn making seven of 10 and Battista perfect in six attempts.

Brugliera, 7 of 11 from the charity stripe, was Bentley's other double-figure scorer as she finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Crowell, off the bench, followed with nine points and seven boards.

Senior forward Jewel White (Worcester) powered Franklin Pierce with 14 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks and two steals, and Johnson also had a double-double for the Ravens, with 10 rebounds in addition to 18 points. All-Conference senior forward Marielle Giroud (Martigny, Switzerland) had eight points and six turnovers before fouling out midway through the second half.

The Bentley defense limited FPU to 18 points and 29 percent shooting in the second half, and seven points in each OT.

For the game, Franklin Pierce outshot the Falcons 37-26 percent and had four more three-pointers. However, Bentley had the big edge at the line, making 28 of 35 to the Ravens' 10 of 12. The home also had the rebound edge, 50-44, and seven fewer turnovers (16-23).

On Sunday, Bentley will have a chance to avenge its only home loss of the season.  Back on Jan. 28, Southern Connecticut edged the Falcons, 63-59.