MANCHESTER, N.H. – Junior Briana Jones (White Plains, N.Y.) scored a team-high nine points, but the Saint Anselm College women's basketball team suffered a 61-21 loss to second-ranked Bentley University on Sunday afternoon at Stoutenburgh Gymnasium.

The Hawks dip to 4-17 on the season, including 1-16 NE-10, while the Falcons remain perfect at 21-0, 17-0 NE-10.

Jones was 4-for-7 from the floor and 1-for-2 at the line, while tallying six rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.

After Bentley jumped out to a 9-0 lead, a 3-pointer by senior Curran Leighton (Dover, N.H.) and a layup by Jones cut the deficit to four at the 16:27 mark. With the gap still at four more than two minutes later, however, an 11-0 Bentley run – bookended by Courtney Finn 3-pointers – opened the lead up to 21-6 with 8:40 remaining in the opening half.

A 5-0 spurt – with three points from junior Meg Morrissey (So. Kingstown, R.I.) – sliced the deficit to an even 10, but Bentley closed the half on a 12-2 run that was highlighted by five points from Jacqui Brugliera and made it 33-13 at the break.

Bentley opened the second half with six straight points that were part of a 14-2 run – with seven points from Finn – that ballooned the lead to 47-15 at the 11:37 mark. Back-to-back jumpers from Jones and freshman Kayla Papazian (Plymouth, Mass.) halted the run, but Bentley hit back for 14 straight – with six points from Jane White and five from Chelsea Lombardi. Jones dropped in a layup to seize the run and close the scoring.

Sophomore Allie Jones (So. Kingstown, R.I.) pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

Bentley outshot Saint Anselm, 37.0 percent (20-54) to 20.5 percent (9-44), including 45 percent (9-20) to 7.7 percent (1-13) from deep. The Hawks held a 38-33 advantage on the glass, but turned it over 31 times, while the Falcons committed 15 turnovers and owned a 35-5 margin in points off turnovers.

Finn led Bentley with 13 points.

The Hawks return to action Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. when they play host to Merrimack College at Stoutenburgh. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/STAHawks) and following us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STAHawks).