VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore forward Birna Benonysdottir scored a career-high 22 points, powering Binghamton (1-5, 1-3 AE) to a 65-60 win over UMBC (2-4, 2-2 AE) in an America East women's basketball game on Monday afternoon at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. With the victory, the Bearcats split their two-game series against the Retrievers, having lost 57-54 on Sunday.

Benonysdottir went 7-for-14 from the field and made eight of her nine free throw shots. She also added a team-best seven rebounds and blocked a pair of shots.

Senior forward Kaylee Wasco reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time in five games, finishing with 12 points. She went 4-for-8 from the field, sank all four of her free throws and blocked a career high three shots.

It was a strong fourth quarter that proved decisive in the Bearcat victory. They entered the period down 46-41 but outscored UMBC 24-14 over the final 10 minutes. Binghamton shot 57 percent during that stretch (8-of-14) and canned seven of its eight attempts from the free throw line. Benonysdottir alone accounted for 11 of the Bearcats' fourth-period points.

The game featured 22 ties and 15 lead changes and was deadlocked at 60-60 with half a minute remaining in regulation. Sophomore guard Denai Bowman gave the Bearcats the lead for good when she converted a layup with 22 seconds to go.

Following a UMBC missed three-point field goal attempt, junior guard Hayley Moore grabbed the rebound and sophomore guard Cassidy Roberts was fouled with 14 seconds remaining. Roberts swished both of her free throws, giving Binghamton the breathing room they'd need the rest of the way.

"We grinded it out today and battled until the end," head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord said. "A big thing in that fourth quarter is that we only allowed UMBC three second-chance opportunities. We were focused on getting some key stops and made some big buckets."

Juliet Esadah, who led all scorers with 19 points on Sunday, led the Retrievers with 17 points in the rematch. Janee'a Summers added 16 points while Jada Clowers pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.

Bowman finished with nine points to go along with two assists, a career-high three blocks and a pair of steals. Roberts, who was making her first career start, posted a career-best eight points and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

The 65 points represents the Bearcats' highest scoring output of the season. In addition, the 22 points by Benonysdottir ties the highest individual scoring total by a Binghamton player this year. Bowman also finished with 22 points in the season opener against Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 2.

Free throw shooting has plagued the Bearcats during the first part of the season but it was a key component of their first win of the year. Binghamton shot 79 percent against UMBC, making 23 of their 29 attempts.

Binghamton remains at home and will host Hartford this coming Friday and Saturday. Tip off for Saturday's game is 3 p.m. Tip off for Sunday's game is at 2 p.m.