WALTHAM, Mass. -- Following four straight games on the road, the Bentley University women's basketball team will be back at home this week for home encounters against Southern New Hampshire on Sunday and UMass-Lowell Wednesday. Tip-off for Sunday's game will be at 1:30 pm.
Bentley is off to a 4-1 start this season, a record that includes a season-opening 72-61 victory over then 17th-ranked Holy Family in the only home game and a 56-47 win at Saint Anselm Tuesday night, the Falcons' fourth game in a seven-day stretch.
Southern New Hampshire will make the trip to Waltham with a 3-3 overall record, including 1-1 in the Northeast-10. The Penmen opened their season with a 1-2 record in the Disney Division II Tip-Off Classic, routed Mercy and Saint Anselm by an average of 26 points, and dropped a 59-56 decision to UMass-Lowell Tuesday night.
Bentley junior forward Elise Caira (Wakefield/Arlington Catholic HS) missed the last 30 games of last season following an injury, but has been a force thus far this year. She leads the team in scoring (15.6), rebounds (8.2) and free throws made and attempted (29-39), is tied for the lead in steals (8) and is third in assists (13).
Guards Katherine Goodwin (Goffstown, N.H./Governor's Academy), a sophomore, and Kim Brennan (Locust Valley, N.Y./Locust Valley HS), a junior, follow with scoring averages of 14.2 and 13.2, respectively. Coupled with Caira, they give coach Barbara Stevens three of the top 14 scorers in the Northeast-10.
Senior forward Colette Josey (Boston/Framingham HS) is coming off her most productive game of the season for the Falcons, 12 rebounds, six blocks and 11 points in Tuesday's win at Saint Anselm.
Due to graduation and injuries, Southern New Hampshire has been starting a very young lineup with five-foot-ten senior Jenny McDade joined by two sophomores and two freshmen. McDade is off to a strong start with her 16.5 scoring average fourth best in the Northeast-10. She's also sixth in the conference in rebounds and blocks, and has been outstanding at the line, making 24 of 26 free throws.
Senior Ashara Carrington and junior Libby Cullerot have both been productive off the bench. Carrington average 10.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, and Cullerot follows at 7.0 ppg with a team-high seven three-pointers.
Bentley swept the Penmen last season, 63-59 and 72-61, and leads the all-time series 26-2. Both SNHU wins have come at the Dana Center, most recently in overtime in February 2006.
