Bearcats Drop America East Thriller Versus Maine

The Binghamton Bearcats women's basketball team played their hearts out against the Maine Black Bears March 7 in opening round of the America East Post-
Season Tournament at the Events Center.  But all the effort was not quite enough as Maine, the top-seed in the tournament, held on to win 78-71. The game was the first of four contests played today and tonight in the quarter-final round of the conference playoffs.

BU was unable to get off what could have been a go-ahead bucket as time ran out in the first half.  Maine held on to a 34-32 advantage as the teams went to the locker rooms.  In the second half the Black Bears withstood several Binghamton runs and outscored the Bearcats 44-39 in the second 20 minutes of action.

Binghamton's back court duo and America East All-Rookie Team members Jasmine Swain and Imani Watkins combined for 36 points to keep the Bearcats in contention until the end.  Sina scored 19 points including six three-pointers and Watkins notched 17 points to give Binghamton hope for an upset over the regular season Co-Champion Black Bears.  Liz Wood led Maine in scoring with 19 points.

Rebounding was a big key in the game.  Maine grabbed 38 rebounds including 16 off the offensive glass.   Binghamton got 26 rebounds but only seven offensively.  The Bearcats made 15-18 free throws and shot 47% from the field.  The Black Bears hit on 48% of their shots from the field.  BU had the edge in three-point shooting making 10-19 from beyond the arc compared to 5-10 for Maine.

The Bearcats end their season with an overall mark of 4-26.  Maine advances to tomorrow's semi-final round and will come in with a record of 23-7.