VESTAL, N.Y. – Visiting Binghamton (7-19, 3-13 AE) put forth a valiant effort before losing 65-60 at Vermont (18-10, 12-5 AE) in an America East women's basketball game on Wednesday evening at Patrick Gym. The game marked the Bearcats' third contest in five days as well as their second straight game on the road.

Junior guard Denai Bowman and junior forward Birna Benonysdottir each finished with a game-high 22 points. Bowman was 7-of-12 from the field, sank all eight of her free throws and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Benonysdottir, meanwhile, was 9-for-18 from the floor, drained a pair of three-point field goals and blocked a team-best two shots.

Bowman, who came into the game ranked third in the conference with 14.0 points per game, has now reached the 20-point mark in two of the last three games. Benonysdottir, meanwhile, came into the contest at Vermont ranked second in the America East with 14.7 points per night.

Vermont countered with three players reaching double figures in scoring. Josie Larkins netted 19 points, going 5-for-10 from three-point range in the process. She was joined by Emma Utterback (14) and Anna Olson (12).

The host Catamounts appeared to be in control of the game when a basket by Utterback gave them a 59-50 lead with 2:41 left in regulation. From there, however, the Bearcats scored five out of the next six points to trim the deficit to 60-55 with 1:15 left to go. Bowman capped the run with a pair of made free throws.

Benonysdottir hit a huge three-point shot, pulling Binghamton to within 61-58 with 52 seconds remaining. Vermont turned the ball over on their next possession and Bowman her final two free throws to make it a one-point game at 61-60 with 38 seconds to go.

Utterback made it 62-60 on a free throw with 12 seconds left. She missed a second free throw attempt but Sarah Wells got a clutch offensive rebound and Utterback was fouled again. She then went 1-for-2 on her next two free throws.

The Bearcats turned the ball over on their next possession and Wells sealed the win on a layup with four seconds to go.

Senior guard Hayley Moore added eight points, three rebounds and three assists. Junior forward Jalyn Van Dyke added six rebounds while junior guard Cassidy Roberts recorded a team-high two steals.

With the Bearcats continuing to dress only eight players, the Catamounts finished with a 21-6 advantage in bench points.

Led by Bowman, the Bearcats shot 87.5 percent from the free throw line (12-for-14).

In its last three games, Binghamton has averaged 64.7 points per game. The Bearcats have shot at least 41 percent in all three contests.

Binghamton returns home to face New Hampshire on Saturday at 2 p.m. Prior to the game, the Bearcats will honor graduating seniors Moore and Hanna Strawn.

NOTES: Bowman now has 10 career games with at least 20 points while Benonysdottir has four such performances … the last time a pair of Binghamton players scored 20 points in the same game was against Mansfield back on Nov. 22, 2021. Benonysdottir had a career-best 27 points while junior forward Clare Traeger added 20 points.