MANCHESTER, N.H. – Powered by Northeast-10 Conference scoring and rebounding leader Shannon Ryan (Plattsburgh, N.Y.), Saint Anselm College jumped in front in the first quarter and held off Bentley University in a closely-contested fourth quarter to prevail 68-61 in women's basketball action Tuesday evening at Stoutenburgh Gym.

Ryan, a six-foot-four senior, finished with 29 points and 18 rebounds as the Hawks (19-56, 15-4 NE10) captured the Northeast Division's second seed for the upcoming NE-10 Championships. Bentley (19-8, 14-5 NE10) fell to the third seed and will play a quarterfinal game at Le Moyne College on Sunday afternoon.

After Bentley sophomore guard Kari Brekke (Appleton, Wisc./Appleton North HS) scored the first five points after Falcon steals, Ryan dominated the opening quarter with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Her first eight came during a 13-2 run and the last four during a quarter-closing 7-0 burst that made it a 22-13 game after one.

The senior Ryan finished the first half with 18 points and eight boards, with her efforts the primary reason Saint Anselm took a 36-27 lead into the break. She was 9 of 11 from the floor while her teammates were 7 of 25.

Bentley was led by Brekke with nine first-half points. Senior center Monica Viapiano (Holden, Mass./Holy Name HS) followed with eight and sophomore guard Kolleen Bouchard (Houlton, Maine/ Houlton HS) pitched in with seven off the bench.

The Falcons closed the third with five straight points, including a buzzer-beating put-back by Viapiano, to cut the deficit to four points, 47-43.

Bentley junior guard Julia Ford (Charlton, Mass./Noble and Greenough) opened the fourth with a three from the left side, making it a one-point game. The Falcons made it a one-possession game a couple more times, including 54-52 with 5:23 left after a fast-break lay-up by Bouchard.

Saint Anselm answered with a 9-3 run, with the first five scored by Ryan, to go up 63-55 with two minutes left and that would essentially do it.

Ryan, who also had four blocks and two steals, carried the shooting load for her team, making 13 of 19. The rest of the Hawks were just 12 of 41 overall, although junior guard Peyton Steinman (Pittsfield, Mass.) did finish with 20 after making nine of ten free throws.

Brekke led Bentley with 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Bouchard finished with a career-best 14 points, four rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) added 11 and Viapiano had ten points, ten rebounds and one block.

Both teams scored 54 points from the field, but Saint Anselm had the edge in free throws, 14 of 21 (including several in the final minute) to the Falcons' seven of ten. The Hawks shot better, 42-36 percent, and Bentley finished with a slight rebound advantage, 43-41, including 36-28 after the opening stanza.