STORY LINES

Binghamton (0-1) hung tough against defending MAC champion Akron on Friday before losing 80-49. The Bearcats led for most of the first half and were within single digits with under 10 minutes to play. Freshman guard Imani Watkins finished with a team-high 19 points. Freshman point guard Jasmine Sina and sophomore forward Kristin Ross each added nine points.

Delaware State (0-1) was defeated 76-55 in the opening round of the Akron Classic. Tierra Hawkins finished with a team-best 10 points.

This marks the first meeting between Binghamton and Delaware State in women's basketball.

The 19 points by freshman guard Imani Watkins against Akron represents the most by a Binghamton freshman making their debut since the program moved up to the NCAA Division I level in 2001. The previous mark of 18 points was set by Jasbriell Swain on Nov. 12, 2010