WALTHAM, Mass. – Graduate guard Adriana Timberlake (Braintree), last year's conference player of the year, scored 30 points, including a driving lay-up with 2.1 seconds left, as Southern New Hampshire rallied past Bentley University, the eighth-ranked team in Division II, in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball Wednesday night on Barbara Stevens Court.

Bentley, 19-3 overall and 14-2 NE10, saw its 11-game winning streak come to an end and its lead atop in the conference cut from two to one game over both SNHU and Assumption. The Penmen, whose only lead of the game came on Timberlake's game-winner, improved to 15-5 overall and 13-3 conference.

Coach C White's Falcons took a 71-66 lead when graduate guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove HS) sank a three-ball from the right corner with 1:31 left. SNHU senior center Jess Knight (Hanover) scored the next four, including two free throws with 41.8 to play after an offensive rebound.

After a Falcon miss and a SNHU rebound by graduate guard Macy Spinks (Luton, U.K.), the Penmen took a timeout to set up their final possession. Timberlake drove to the basket for the go-ahead score.

Following a timeout, Bentley had 2.1 seconds left but was unable to get a shot off.

An up-tempo first half, that began with a 9-2 Bentley run, ended with the Falcons up six, 37-31. The home team led by as many as 11 in the opening quarter, but SNHU won the second, 19-17.

Sophomore guard Cassidy Yeomans (Marion/Tabor Academy) had one of her best halves of the season, scoring ten points. Senior guard Maggie Whitmore (South Portland, Maine/South Portland HS) added nine points, and junior forward Kylie DuCharme (Wilmington/Wilmington HS) had a strong first quarter with eight points and six rebounds.

The Falcons led by as many as ten in the opening minutes of the third, but SNHU used a 13-6 surge over the final 6:05 to draw within two, 52-50.

DuCharme powered the Falcons with a 19-point, ten-rebound double-double and also had four steals. Thompson followed with 16, Yeomans matched her career-high with 12, and Whitmore finished with 11.

Timberlake, who drew nine fouls and took 13 free throws, had six assists and two steals in addition to the 30 points. Knight followed with 14 points and nine rebounds.

SNHU outshot the Falcons 51-38 percent and made 15 of 26 shots in the second half, including 14 of 20 inside the arc. Rebounds also favored the visitors, 36-32, and despite 16 Penmen turns, Bentley scored only 12 points off.

Bentley will look to get back on track Saturday when the Falcons play at nationally-ranked Assumption.