LEWISTON – Val Beckwith scored a season-high 26 points to lead Bates College to an 80-67 victory over Middlebury College in NESCAC women’s basketball action Friday evening.

The Bobcats (12-4) never trailed in the game, running out to leads of 5-0 on a layup from Beckwith, 15-7 on a three by Maggie DePoy, and 19-9 on a steal by Lauren Yanofsky and assist to Beckwith for a layup in the first 10:37 of the game. Bates owned a commanding 37-22 lead at halftime. Ashley Barron led three Panthers (6-7) in double figures with 15 points.

Yanofsky contributed 13 points and a career-high eight assists for Bates. Kelsey Flaherty added 10 points and fellow rookie Annie Burns also had eight assists.

Apprentice 78, CMCC 56

AUBURN – Rahshann Lewter tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to lead Apprentice School of Vermont to a 78-56 victory over Central Maine Community College on Friday.

Both teams are ranked in the top 20 of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

The Mustangs (11-3) trailed by six at the break, but the Shipbuilders (6-9) came out strong in the second half, shooting 62 percent from the floor while yielding just 32 percent to the Mustangs.

Michelle Holmquist paced the Mustangs offense with 11 points. Tiffany Seams hit three treys for nine points and Kayla Ellis added eight points and four steals. Katie Martin cleared the glass with 10 rebounds. Teira Durgin and Sara Martin led the bench with six points apiece.

Men’s basketball

Middlebury 73, Bates 65

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Ben Rudin scored a career-high 28 points to lead Middlebury College to a 73-65 win over Bates College in the NESCAC opener for both teams Friday night.

The Panthers overcame 18-31 free throw shooting with a strong surge late in the game, forcing the contest into OT.

Middlebury hit four hoops in OT, but more importantly connected on 10 of 12 free throws to come away with the win.

Men’s hockey

Bentley 3, Maine 1

ORONO – Jeff Gaumer served up a pair of goals as Bentley snagged a 3-1 victory over the University of Maine in men’s ice hockey action Friday evening.

The Black Bears (10-9-2) cut the Bentley lead to 2-1 at 9:59 of the third period when Brian Flynn scored his seventh goal of the season on assists from Spencer Abbott and Jeff Dimmen. Maine outshot Bentley 36-24 in the game.

Goalie Dave Wilson made 21 saves in goal for the Black Bears, while Kyle Rank made 35 saves for the Falcons (9-11-1) to notch the win.