MANCHESTER, N.H. – Senior Epiphany Smith (Springdale, Ark.) scored 14 points, but the Saint Anselm College women's basketball team dropped a 59-46 decision to second-ranked Bentley University on Sunday afternoon at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

The Hawks fall to 5-2 on the season, including 1-2 in Northeast-10 play, while the Falcons improve to 5-0, 3-0.

Bentley led 7-6 early on when the Hawks scored six straight to grab a 12-7 lead at the 12:13 mark. The Falcons answered, however, by going on a 20-1 tear that was bookended by a pair of Meghan Thomann 3-pointers and gave them a 27-13 advantage with 4:14 remaining in the opening half. Bentley ended up taking a 29-17 lead into the break.

After the Hawks shaved the deficit to 11, four straight Bentley points bumped the lead to 15 at 34-19 just 2:11 into the second half. The Falcon lead climbed as high as 17 at 52-35 with 7:46 to play before a 7-0 run that was capped by a Smith layup sliced it to 10 with 4:27 remaining. A 3-pointer by sophomore Ashley Viselli (Groveland, Mass.) cut it to nine at 54-45 with 2:31 on the clock, but Bentley scored five of the final six points to hold off the Hawks and seal the victory.   

Smith added four assists and three rebounds. Senior Megan Howard (St. Paul, Minn.) posted eight points and five rebounds, while junior Curran Leighton (Dover, N.H.) also netted eight points to go along with three rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Sophomore Briana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.) tallied seven points, six boards, two assists and a block.

Bentley outshot Saint Anselm, 38.5 percent (20-52) to 31.4 percent (16-51) and held a 30-12 advantage in the paint.

Lauren Battista led Bentley with 23 points on 9 of 13 shooting.

The Hawks return to action Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. when they play host to Merrimack College at Stoutenburgh.