WALTHAM, Mass. – Freshman guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) led four double-digit scorers with 15 points and five assists as Bentley University snapped a rare three-game losing streak with a 78-55 win over St. Michael's College in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball on Barbara Stevens Court Saturday afternoon.

Bentley, which moved to within a game of first in the NE10's Northeast Division, outscored the Purple Knights 17-6 in the second quarter and 24-13 in the third to improve to 16-7 overall, including 11-4 NE10. St, Michael's dropped to 8-12 overall and 2-12 conference after being limited to 29 percent shooting.

A low-scoring opening quarter ended with Bentley in front 15-11 after the Falcons scored five unanswered in the final 30 seconds. Sophomore guard Hartlee Meier (Southington, Conn./ Marianapolis Prep HS) knocked down a three from the left wing and sophomore guard Kari Brekke (Appleton, Wisc,/Appleton North HS) beat the buzzer with a fast break lay-up.

The second quarter was all Bentley as the Falcons limited the Purple Knights to only one field goal in 14 attempts. Thompson matched the St. Michael's output in the quarter with six points, including four free throws, and Bentley went into the half up 15, 32-17.

Bentley led by as many as 17 points in the third before St. Michael's scored eight straight to draw within nine at 50-41 with 2:22 to play.

In front 54-42 heading into the fourth, Bentley pulled away during the first 5:20, outscoring the Purple Knights 18-5 to go up by 25. That run was bookended by three-pointers from Thompson, one from the left wing and the other from the right.

Thompson, who scored in doubles for the third time in the last four games, made three of five from three-point territory as well as all four of her free throws.

She was followed on the scoring list by sophomore guard Kolleen Bouchard (Houlton, Maine/ Houlton HS), who scored 13 off the bench on six-of-six shooting. She was also a team-best plus-27 during her 19:37 on the board.

Bentley also received a season-best 11 points in a non-starting role from junior center Erin Nolan (Binghamton, N.Y./ Susquehanna Valley HS) and ten points and a career-high eight assists from Brekke. Freshman center Bri Gillen (Lakeville/Bishop Feehan HS) had the most productive game of her young career with ten rebounds and seven points in 16:27.

Senior forward Taylor Miller (Falmouth) filled the stat sheet for St. Michael's with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Bentley shot .508 overall, including 63 percent in the second half, and outscored the visitors 18-3 from beyond the arc. St. Michael's 18 of 62 included only one trey in 15 attempts.

St. Michael's had the advantage in turnovers (13-18) and free throws (18-12) but the Falcons dominated the rebounds (44-30), scoring in the paint (44-22) and fast break points (23-4).

Bentley's next game is next Saturday at Southern New Hampshire.