Bentley women’s basketball stumbles in second half of Division 2 quarterfinals

Defense played a big role in the Bentley women’s basketball team rolling to Northeast-10 regular season and tournament titles, then through the Division 2 East Regional. The Falcons did not allow more than 65 points in a game on their way to the No. 2 seed in the Elite Eight in Pittsburgh. But seventh-seeded Union was 12-for-29 from 3-point range Monday, and only turned the ball over seven times to eliminate Bentley, 80-66. The 12 triples were the most Bentley has allowed, and the seven turnovers matched a season-low against the Falcons. Tied at 35 after the first half, Union (33-3) used a 16-6 run in the third quarter to erase a 3-point deficit and take the lead for good. The Bulldogs were 15-for-28 from the floor in the second half, including 7-for-14 from beyond the arc. Bentley (33-2) was 6-for-7 shooting in the third, but committed six turnovers. Down just 60-55 entering the fourth quarter, the Falcons went ice cold, missing 18 of 22 shots. Senior forward Kylie DuCharme of Wilmington recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Maggie Whitmore (South Portland, Maine) added 12 points, and Cassidy Yeomans (Marion) and Niya Morgen (Swampscott) each chipped in with 11. Union won the Gulf South Conference and is making its second appearance in the Elite Eight. Macey Lee led the Bulldogs with 16 points. Bethany Dillard added 15 points off the bench, going 5-for-6 from the outside. The loss snapped a 29-game winning streak for Bentley, which was making its first appearance in the Elite Eight since 2016 and first under coach C White.