WALTHAM, Mass. (December 4, 2021) – A Saturday matinee matchup brought the Franklin Pierce University women's basketball team to Bentley University's Dana Center for a Northeast-10 Conference game against the Falcons. Senior Emma Carter (Bristol, Vt.) recorded a game-high 24 points, including a trio of three-pointers, but the Ravens suffered a 78-65 loss at the hands of the Falcons.

With the loss Franklin Pierce falls to 5-3 (1-1 NE10), while Bentley improves 5-2 (4-0 NE10).

The first quarter started out well for the Ravens, who scored the game's first two baskets and held the lead for the majority of the quarter. The opening frame was the tightest of the bunch, and the Ravens held a one-point lead heading into the first break (15-14).

Bentley's offense exploded in the second quarter to take a 10-point lead into halftime (35-25). Down by one entering the quarter, the Falcons outscored the Ravens 21-10 in the frame, including eight points from graduate student forward Autumn Ceppi.

The Ravens found much more success in the offensive end in the third quarter, as they scored 17 points in the period. Junior Sami Gallant (Ipswich, Mass.) chalked up seven of them herself, but the Ravens were still outscored 23-17 in the frame and faced a 16-point deficit entering the fourth quarter (58-42).

Franklin Pierce outscored the Falcons in the final quarter, 23-20, but it would not be enough. Carter had her most productive quarter of the game with 11 points while shooting 4-for-5, including a pair of triples.

The two teams posted relatively even shooting nights, as Franklin Pierce checked in at 43.3% (26-for-60), while Bentley hit at 41.8% (28-for-67). It was the glass which provided the difference though, as Bentley piled up a 46-27 rebounding edge, including a whopping 18 offensive rebounds, which enabled the Falcons to produce a 23-5 advantage in second-chance points.

Carter and her 24 points were joined in double digits by 16 from senior Lisa Sulejmani (Burlington, Vt.). Ceppi stole the show for Bentley with a massive, 23-point, 18-rebound double-double. She was joined in double digits by 13 from sophomore Maggie Whitmore and 12 from junior Ella Thompson.

The Ravens are back in action on Sunday, Dec. 12, when they finally hold their home opener, against NE10 and intrastate foe Saint Anselm, at 2 p.m.