PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University Women's Basketball team's efforts came up short against Bentley University, 57-67, Thursday afternoon. With the loss, the Setters drop to 14-6, and 8-6 in the Northeast-10.
Pace came out of the gate on fire in the opening quarter, making 9-16 from the floor leading to a 25-12 lead over Bentley. It was an impressive first quarter for the Setters, who were led by Arianna Stockinger's ten points on 4-5 from the field. Pace's 25 points to open the game marked a season-high for points in a quarter.
Bentley answered Pace's first-quarter eruption with a perfect 6-6 shooting from three-point range in the second quarter. Off an 18-0 run at the end of the half, the Falcons surpassed the Setters and took hold of a 39-32 lead.
A Stockinger three-pointer to open the half-trimmed Bentley's lead quickly to 35-39. In the second half, Pace kept stride with the Falcons and snagged a 40-39 lead halfway through the third quarter. However, Bentley responded with a 14-6 run to close out the third giving them a nine-point advantage, 53-44.
In the final quarter, Bentley continued their solid play and fended off several Pace comebacks to solidify their conference-leading 18th win of the season, 67-57.
Three-pointers came at a premium for the visitors, as the Falcons knocked down a superb 11-15 (73%) shots from downtown. Graduate Ella Thompson highlighted Bentley's offense with 19 points on 7-10 from the floor and an efficient 5-7 from behind the arc.
Pace was led by Stockinger's 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Ciara Collins churned out another solid performance posting 16 points to go with four assists.
Despite the loss, the Setters had a productive afternoon against an eighth-ranked Bentley squad. The Blue and Gold drained a season-best 7-14 (50%) of their shots from deep. Points off turnovers were key for Pace as they scored 19 compared to Bentley's five.
The Setters return to the court Saturday afternoon for a 1:30 p.m. tip-off against Saint Michael's College.
