VESTAL, N.Y. – Junior guard Denai Bowman scored a career-high 23 points, lifting Binghamton (1-0) to a 59-55 season-opening win over Siena (0-1) in a non-conference women's basketball game on Tuesday evening at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. The victory is the Bearcats' third in their past four season-opening contests.

Bowman, who was named to the America East Preseason All-Conference team, went 7-for-17 from the field and sank all nine of her free throws. In the process, she eclipsed her previous career high of 22 points, which she reached twice last season.

Fellow junior guard Zahra Barnes finished with 10 points, which tied her previous career high. Junior forward Clare Traeger finished with eight points to go along with 10 rebounds while freshman forward Genevieve Coleman finished with nine points and four rebounds in her debut.

"I am so proud of this team," head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord said. "They just gritted it out. Basketball is a game of runs and Siena is a much-improved team. But our girls just gutted it out and I am so proud of them."

Down 26-25 at the half, the Bearcats went on a 16-3 run in the first 5:42 of the third period to take a 41-28 lead. Bowman had six of her points during that span.

The Saints, however, clawed back to take a 48-47 lead with 6:01 left in regulation. Ahniysha Jackson sank the go-ahead free throw.

Binghamton then took the lead for good as it reeled off the next seven points go up 54-48 with 2:57 left in regulation.

The Saints got to within 57-55 with 23 seconds left to go but Barnes iced the game when she made two of her four free throws during the final 15 seconds.

Rayshel Brown led Siena with 16 points. Amari Anthony added 12 points.

Bowman and Traeger each recorded a team-best two steals as did senior guard Hayley Moore. Moore also grabbed six rebounds and scored five points. Bowman also added five rebounds.

Binghamton hosts Canisius on Saturday at noon.

NOTES: Bowman's 22-point performances last season came against Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 2 and Hartford on Jan. 3. Her nine made free throws tonight set her career high … Coleman was one of two Bearcat newcomers in the starting lineup. Junior forward Jalyn Van Dyke finished with seven rebounds to go along with a game-high four assists, two points and a steal.