WALTHAM, Mass. – Sophomore guard Kari Brekke (Appleton, Wisc./Appleton North HS) sank three triples during a game-opening 23-7 burst and the Bentley University women's basketball team went on to post a wire-to-wire 76-56 win over The College of Saint Rose in Northeast-10 Conference action Wednesday night on Barbara Stevens Court.

Bentley, with its 10th win in its last 11 games, improved to 14-4 overall, including a conference-best 9-1. The Falcons, who were ranked 20th in this week's D2SIDA media poll, continue to lead the NE10's Northeast Division by one game. Saint Rose, which trailed by as many as 31, dropped to 7-10 overall and 2-8 NE10.

Coach Barbara Stevens' team, which has won 16 straight in the Dana Center, buried half of its ten three-pointers during the first eight minutes while jumping out to the 16-point lead. In addition to the three from Brekke, freshman guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) and sophomore guard Hartlee Meier (Southington, Conn./Marianapolis Prep) also connected from deep early.

On top 26-13 after senior Julia Ford (Charlton/Noble and Greenough) completed the first-quarter scoring with yet another three-ball, Bentley started the second quarter with a 10-2 run to go up 36-15 with 6:20 remaining in the first half. That burst included four points from senior center Monica Viapiano (Holden/Holy Name HS), who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds in 19:27 for her fourth double-double of the season.

In the second half, Bentley had runs of 10-2 and 10-0 to stretch the difference to a commanding 31, 72-41, with 3:54 left. The latter spurt included five points from Meier, who finished with a career-best eight points.

Brekke, who finished 4-of-6 from 3 and a +32, and Viapiano were followed in the scoring column by senior forward Maddy Springfield (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant HS), who had nine points, four rebounds and two steals off the bench. Ford added seven points and both Thompson and junior center Erin Nolan (Binghamton, N.Y./Susquehanna Valley HS) chipped in with six apiece. Thompson also had seven rebounds and three assists.

Sophomore guard Becca Townes (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) led Saint Rose with 17 points and four steals.

Bentley outshot the visiting Golden Knights 48-36 percent and was a perfect 10-of-10 at the foul line. The Falcons also had the advantage in rebounds (39-28), assists (18-10), second chance points (12-5), points off turnovers (21-10) and bench points (32-11).

The Falcons are on the road for their next two, beginning Saturday afternoon at American International.