PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Pace University Women's Basketball went down to the final seconds on Wednesday night, but a late free-throw sequence proved decisive in a narrow 50–49 Northeast 10 loss to No. 21 Bentley University. The Setters erased a double-digit deficit in the second half and had the ball in the closing moments, but ultimately came up one point shy despite a strong finish.

The opening quarter unfolded as a defensive battle, with Pace working for quality looks against Bentley's pressure. Cali Chiocchi and Anisa Akinola provided early interior scoring, but the Setters trailed 14–11 after one. Offense became difficult to generate in the second quarter, as Bentley used a 15–6 frame to extend its lead to 29–17 at halftime.

Pace responded with its best stretch coming out of the break. Grace Ziogas knocked down a pair of three-pointers during a decisive third-quarter run, and Ciera Cevallos added a triple of her own as the Setters outscored Bentley 17–7 in the period. A late Ziogas fast-break three trimmed the deficit to just two, sending Pace into the fourth quarter trailing 36–34.

The final 10 minutes turned into a possession-by-possession battle. Ciara Collins tied the game early with a layup, and Akinola followed with consecutive finishes in transition to keep Pace within one score. Chiocchi's three-pointer knotted the game at 43–43 midway through the quarter, and her late free throws pulled the Setters within one in the final seconds. Bentley, however, converted at the line with five seconds remaining to preserve the one-point edge.

Chiocchi and Ziogas led Pace with 11 points apiece, while Akinola added nine points and a team-high eight rebounds. Collins contributed six points, two blocks, and two steals, and Pace shot 45.5 percent from three-point range in the comeback effort.

The Setters head back on the road on Saturday, traveling to Southern New Hampshire University for a 1:30 p.m. tipoff.