VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Imani Watkins scored a game-high 21 points and sophomore forward Alyssa James finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and a game-high four blocks, powering Binghamton (12-15, 7-7 AE) to a 55-52 victory over UMass Lowell (4-23, 1-14 AE) in an America East women's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Events Center. The victory is the second straight for the Bearcats, who improve to 9-3 on their home floor this year.

For the second time this season, the Bearcats had to overcome a double-digit deficit against the River Hawks to pull out the victory. They were down by as much as 14 points late in the third quarter before roaring back to get the win.

"I am so proud of our team today," head coach Linda Cimino said. "This is the best comeback that I have ever been associated with. Imani put the team on her back and Alyssa made some great shots in the end."

Things looked grim for the Bearcats when Oda Shackelford converted a pair of free throws to put UMass Lowell up 40-26 with 38 seconds left in the third period. Binghamton got to within 40-27 at the end of the period, setting the stage for a fourth period in which it outscored the River Hawks 28-12.

UMass Lowell was up 45-35 with 5:45 left in regulation but Watkins hit back-to-back three-point field goals in the ensuring 50 seconds, pulling the Bearcats to within four points. From there, baskets by Watkins and James tied the score at 45-45 with 4:09 left to go.

Over the next five minutes, there were three ties and two lead changes. With the score tied at 52-52, freshman guard Rebecca Carmody was fouled with 23 seconds to go. She made one of her ensuing two free throws attempts.

James came up with a steal on the following possession and was promptly fouled. She made both of her free throws, putting Binghamton ahead 55-52 with nine seconds to go.

Lindsey Doucette, who led the River Hawks with 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, missed a game-tying, three-point field goal attempt with two seconds remaining.  

Carmody finished with nine points and nine rebounds. James also posted a game-high four steals while freshman guard McKayla Hernandez dished out a game-high four assists.

Watkins now has 14 career games with at least 20 or more points, including 11 this season. She is now averaging a team-best 16 points per game.

James, meanwhile, now has a team-best eight double-doubles this season. In addition, she continues to lead the America East with 3.11 blocks per game.

Before tipoff, senior guard Kim Albrecht was honored during the women's basketball program's annual Senior Day Ceremony. Although she was held to just five points against the River Hawks, she now has 861 career points, which ranks No. 19 all time in program history. In the process, Albrecht surpassed Robyn LeBel (857 points from 1991-93) and Sonny Mehring (860 points from 1978-82).

Binghamton hosts UMBC on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in its final regular-season home game.