VESTAL, N.Y. – Kayla Cooper turned in a 23-point, 14-rebound, four-assist, two-steal performance as first-place UAlbany (14-2, 3-0 AE) held on for a 60-58 win over Binghamton (5-11, 0-3 AE) in an America East women's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. The victory was the 10^th straight for the Great Danes, who entered the contest ranked No. 22 in the College Basketball Insiders' Top-25 Mid-Major Poll. It also ended the Bearcats' three-game homestand to begin conference play.

Binghamton's contest against UAlbany marked its first-ever Throwback Game, which paid tribute to the program's pre-Division I era (prior to the 2001-02 academic year). As part of the theme, the Binghamton players wore Colonials' jerseys, which was the program's nickname up until the 1999-2000 academic year.

As for Cooper, who was named first-team all-conference last season, she finished 11-of-16 from the field and had six of her rebounds on the offensive end of the court. Nine of her points came in the decisive fourth period as the Great Danes held off a valiant effort by the Bearcats.

Graduate student guard Denai Bowman led Binghamton with a season-best 21 points in just her second game back after being sidelined five games with an injury. She was 9-of-13 from the field, made her lone three-point shot and sank both of her free throws.

For her career, Bowman now has 1,329 points, which continues to rank seventh all-time in program history. In sixth place, with 1,341 points is Leah Truncale (1998-02).

Redshirt sophomore guard Ella Wanzer added 10 points, going 3-for-6 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond three-point range. For her career, Wanzer now has 124 three-point field goals, which continues to rank No. 10 all time in program history. In ninth place, with 129 three-point field goals, is Katrina Roggenbam (1990-94).

Down 30-19 at the half, the Bearcats roared out of the gate after the break, going on a 13-2 run to deadlock the game at 32-32 with 3:32 left in the third period. Sophomore guard Meghan Casey punctuated the run with a three-point play, prompting UAlbany to call time out.

From there, Cooper scored eight out of the Great Danes' next 10 points, staking them to a 44-40 lead with 8:09 remaining in regulation. The Bearcats, however, refused to go quietly as Wanzer canned a three-point field goal, trimming the deficit to 45-44 with 4:27 left to go.

UAlbany finally got the separation it needed when Lilly Phillips converted a three-point play with 1:02 left to go, padding UAlbany's lead to 54-49. She finished the game with 16 points.

During the final 26 seconds, the Great Danes went 4-of-6 from the free throw line to ice the game.

"I loved our effort today," head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord said. "That is a very good UAlbany team and there is a reason they are undefeated (in conference play). But I think our team did a very good job in handling them today."

The 58 points marked the Bearcats' highest total in conference play so far this season. It came against a Great Dane defense that was tied for first in the nation (with Washington) with 50.1 points allowed per game.

Redshirt sophomore guard Jadyn Weltz grabbed a team-best seven rebounds to go along with nine points and team-high two steals. 

Led by Cooper, the Great Danes held a 46-30 advantage in points in the paint. They also led 38-26 in rebounds -13 of which came on the offensive end of the court – and scored seven second-chance points.

Binghamton went 12-of-16 from the free throw line (.750).

Binghamton travels to Vermont for a 6 p.m. game against the Catamounts.