WALTHAM, Mass. – Graduate forward Autumn Ceppi (Bedford/Dana Hall School) scored 17 points and two teammates also scored in double figures as Bentley University closed out the 2021 portion of the schedule with a 72-59 win over MIT in non-conference women's basketball Thursday evening at the Dana Center.

Bentley, playing for the first time in 23 days, won every quarter while improving to 6-3 on the season. MIT dropped to 4-6 after being outscored 21-8 in second chance points.

Strong finishes to both the first and second quarters put Bentley up 36-27 at the half. Four different players scored as the Falcons closed out the opening stanza with a 9-2 spurt that made it 21-16. In the second, Ceppi and freshman guard Amanda Kabantu (Portland, Maine/Portland HS) each scored four as Bentley closed with an 8-4 run.

Bentley carried the momentum into the third quarter, scoring 12 of the first 14 points to take a game-high 19-point lead, 48-39 with 6:31 on the clock. Senior guard Kari Brekke (Appleton, Wis./Appleton North HS) scored five during that stretch and Kabantu had four.

The Engineers pulled within nine with 7:34 to play in the fourth, but Bentley regained control with an 8-1 run. That flurry included a second-chance basket by sophomore guard Maggie Whitmore (South Portland, Maine/South Portland HS) and a three-pointer from freshman forward Kylie DuCharme (Wilmington/Wilmington HS).

Ceppi, who drew five fouls and attempted eight free throws, complemented her 17 points with six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Brekke knocked down three trifectas and finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Kabantu followed with a career-high 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Bentley also received eight points apiece from junior guard Ella Thompson (Greenwood, Ind./ Center Grove HS) and Whitmore.

MIT was led by senior guard Christina Antonakakis (Holmdel, N.J.) and senior forward Kylie Gallagher (Upton), with 20 and 15 points, respectively.

Bentley had a slight shooting edge, 41-39 percent, and made seven three-pointers, as compared to three for the Engineers. The Falcons had a significant advantage in rebounds, 48-35 overall and 16-9 offensive.

Next up for the Falcons is a Sunday matinee against Daemen College (1:30 pm).