Bentley uses perfect formula in win

Jason Westrol (left), who led Bentley with a career-high 26 points, was able to ignore Isaac Gay. (christopher evans/Associated Press)

SPRINGFIELD - Of the 1,041 men's basketball teams in the three divisions, the Bentley College Falcons are the only one left with an undefeated record.

Bentley continued its run for glory with a 102-92 victory over North Alabama in last night's Div. 2 Elite Eight quarterfinal at the MassMutual Center.

In running their record to 34-0 (and 66-1 over two years), the Falcons punched a ticket to the national semifinals for the first time in school history.

There they will meet the last team to beat them, the Winona State Warriors from Minnesota. Winona, national champs in 2006 and runners-up last year, knocked off the Falcons in last year's quarterfinals, 64-51.

Winona (36-1) secured its place in the semis by beating previously unbeaten Grand Valley State (36-1), 67-54.

In the other quarterfinal games, Alaska-Anchorage (29-5) topped California University of Pennsylvania (28-6), 55-52; and Augusta State (27-6) outlasted Central Oklahoma (28-6) in two overtimes, 106-104.

Bentley, a defensive-minded team, won the final game of the day on the strength of a sizzling offensive display. The Falcons posted their season-high in points thanks to a blistering 54.8 percent from the field (34 for 62).

Facing a double-digit deficit for practically the second half, North Alabama tried to foul its way back into contention. However, the Falcons wouldn't fall for it, hitting 27 of 36 from the line. In comparison, North Alabama only went to the line nine times in the game.

The Falcons spread the wealth with six scorers in double figures, led by Jason Westrol, who had a career-high 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting. Lew Finnegan had 19.

Yusuf Abdul-Ali returned to his native Springfield in style with 15 points and a career-best-tying eight assists. Best of all, he turned the ball over only once.

"I think you saw a very focused group of college student-athletes who waited 12 months and worked very hard to get back to this spot," said Bentley coach Jay Lawson.

Lawson felt that the team's offensive output stemmed from the squad's interchangeable parts and the uncanny ability of the players to read each other. According to their coach, the Falcons do almost no offensive play-calling. Other than an occasional high-ball screen to start some sets, Lawson said the offense is generated from "free-flow basketball, five-man motion. We have players who can pass, dribble, and shoot on the floor at all five positions."

Tonight's rematch against Winona State had the Falcons eager for the challenge.

"We know we're going to have a hard task to beat them," said Abdul-Ali. "I think we're all focused. We know that this one is today, and tomorrow we have to play even harder."

North Alabama finished its season at 27-9. The Lions were led by Thomas Fraise with 25 points on 11-for-18 shooting.

North Alabama held its own against the Falcons in the first half of the first half, thanks to the unusual talents of Fraise. A 6-foot-6-inch, 300-pounder, Fraise kept the Lions in the game early by dropping in a couple of NBA-length 3-pointers, while also scoring with power and dexterity in the post.

After a while, though, Bentley's guard play took over. By the break, Bentley had built a 48-36 lead.