Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff

Bentley appears to be the beasts of the Northeast-10 through the first week of league play. A 5-0 start is the best for the Falcons in more than 15 seasons, but head coach Jay Lawson isn’t concerning himself with history.

“We were 4-0 last year and lost the next five when we got the staph infection, so I don’t get caught up much in that stuff,� Lawson says.

The preseason No. 1 in the Northeast-10, Bentley has won their five games by an average of more than 20 points. The Falcons have also shot 42 percent from the field for the season (39 percent in 3-pointers) and out-rebound opponents by 11 boards per game. Seven different players are currently averaging six points per game or more.

Lawson also added that he feels his squad is a work in progress at this point in the season, not yet at their offensive potential, but ahead of last year in terms of defense, rebounding, and conditioning.

Going back to the subject of history, Bentley lost three senior guards and two of the top scorers in the history of the basketball program to graduation including Tim Forbes (third on the all-time scoring list).

Lawson admitted the early success has been somewhat of a pleasant surprise, but they knew the players coming back were talented. He also points out that there five seniors and a fourth-year junior in their top offensive player Nate Fritsch.

“We knew we had the frontcourt all returning,� Lawson says. “The depth and the talent. We knew we had some ability on the perimeter that just needed experience, some guys who sat on the bench last year and watched behind those guys.�

Sunday’s results from NE-10

Men
Franklin Pierce 71, Bryant 69
Merrimack 84, Southern Connecticut 77
Saint Michael’s 76, Pace 75
Assumption 65, Saint Anselm 62
Saint Rose 74, American International 59
Le Moyne 84, Southern Hampshire 69

Women
Franklin Pierce 75, Bryant 58
Southern Connecticut 81, Merrimack 52
Pace 63, Saint Michael’s 55
Assumption 75, Saint Anselm 71
Saint Rose 69, American International 63
Le Moyne 66, Southern New Hampshire 58
Stonehill 108, Concordia 38