The Binghamton women's basketball team enters the 2025–26 season looking to build on the foundation established during Mary Grimes' first year as head coach. All five starters from last season's finale return, and the Bearcats have made significant strides as a unit throughout the offseason.

"I'm excited about the talent we have and I feel that we're in a good place right now," Grimes said. "Our growth since the summer has been tremendous. The returners have really taken the newcomers under their wings and are helping them develop. We're ready to get playing."

This year's roster features a balanced mix of experience and new talent, with seven returners and seven newcomers. Grimes said she's been impressed—but not surprised—by how quickly the group has meshed.

"At the end of the day, it's about recruiting good people who are great teammates," Grimes said. "Basketball skills are important, but we also look for players who fit our culture. Everyone we have right now represents the type of person we want in our program."

Backcourt Features Depth and Speed

Binghamton's backcourt brings both experience and versatility, allowing the Bearcats to adapt their style to any match up.

"I think we'll be a lot faster than we were last year, on both ends of the floor," Grimes said. "We want to push the pace and create more turnovers in the backcourt. Our guards are going to be key to what we do defensively and offensively."

Senior Kaia Goode returns as the starting point guard. A transfer from Le Moyne College—where she also played for Grimes—Goode ranked among the America East leaders last season, finishing third in steals (1.8 spg) and 10th in assists (2.5 apg). She scored in double figures 12 times.

"Kaia has shown a lot of maturity over the summer," Grimes said. "Her leadership has taken a big step forward. She's more vocal and willing to do whatever it takes—on or off the court—to make sure we have a great season."

At shooting guard, junior Bella Pucci returns after earning third-team All-Conference honors and a spot on the America East All-Defensive Team. Pucci averaged 9.3 points per game, ranked ninth in rebounding (5.4 rpg), and fifth in steals (1.7 spg) last year. She scored in double figures 15 times and recorded two double-doubles.

"I'm excited about Bella this year," Grimes said. "She shoots the ball well and is realizing how good she can be on the defensive end."

Off the bench, senior Meghan Casey provides veteran leadership alongside freshmen Klarissa Goode, Carletta Bennett, and Leah Fowler. Casey enters her fourth season with the program and has appeared in a team-best 87 games.

Junior Kameryn Dorsey, meanwhile, is a transfer from St. Francis (Pa.). 

"We have players who can rotate between the point and shooting guard spots," Grimes said. "Whoever shows the ability to lead at that moment is who we'll go with."
 

Versatility on the Wing

Juniors Leah Middleton and Yanniah Boyd give Binghamton flexibility at the wing and small forward positions. Both are capable of starting, depending on match ups.

Middleton, a transfer from Le Moyne, averaged 8.2 points per game last season and started nine of the final 10 contests. She led the team in scoring four times and reached double figures seven times.

"Leah's growth has been tremendous," Grimes said. "I tell her no shot for her is a bad shot. We're looking for her to be more aggressive offensively this season."

Boyd, meanwhile, started all 30 games as a sophomore, ranking second on the team in scoring (9.4 ppg) and leading the Bearcats in scoring seven times and rebounding five times.

"Yanniah definitely has our system down this year," Grimes said. "She knows exactly what's expected of her on both ends of the floor."
 

Strong Presence in the Post

Junior Kendall Bennett returns as the anchor in the paint. She ranked eighth in the America East in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and tied for second in blocked shots (1.1 bpg) last season. Bennett started the final eight games and scored in double figures three times during that stretch, including a career-high 19 points against Bryant in the America East quarterfinals.

"Kendall's upside is huge, and we're really excited about her this season," Grimes said. "She had a great summer of growth and leadership, and her presence inside is going to be big for us."

Freshman Daysha Salgado will serve as Bennett's primary backup. Grimes said both players are pushing each other to improve.

"Daysha's growth is happening quickly because of the competition she gets every day from Kendall," Grimes said. "She doesn't back down."

Sophomore Abby Misier and freshman Kaitlyn McMillian will redshirt this season due to injuries. Misier earned America East Rookie of the Week honors on Dec. 4 last year.
 

Challenging Schedule Ahead

Binghamton opens up the 2025-26 with three straight home games, capped off by a Nov. 11 contest against St. Bonaventure. From there, the Bearcats make trips to Michigan (Nov. 18), Akron (Dec. 20) and San Diego (Dec. 3). A Dec. 16 contest at Syracuse takes place in between home games against Buffalo (Dec. 6) and Marist (Dec. 13). The Bearcats' final non-conference games are at home against Colgate (Dec. 20) and at the Fairleigh Dickinson Christmas Tournament (Dec. 29-30). 

"Our non-conference schedule is great preparation for America East play," Grimes said. "We've got a strong mix of opponents, including some that mirror conference styles, and the Power Four games will give us valuable experience."

America East play for the Bearcats begins at NJIT on Jan. 3. Five days later (Jan. 8) is the conference home opener against defending champion Vermont.

Other home conference games are against UAlbany (Jan. 15), New Hampshire (Jan. 22), Maine (Jan. 24), UMBC (Feb. 5), NJIT (Feb. 7), Bryant (Feb. 19) and UMass Lowell (Feb. 21).

Also on the road are America East games at UMass Lowell (Jan. 10), UMBC (Jan. 17), Bryant (Jan. 29), Vermont (Feb. 12), UAlbany (Feb. 14), New Hampshire (Feb. 26) and Maine (Feb. 28).

"The America East is going to be very competitive this year," Grimes said. "Vermont, Maine, and UAlbany are the teams everyone's chasing, but we're ready to make our move. Last year we were close in a lot of games, and our players have taken that personally. They're hungry for redemption."

The best part about the 2025-26 schedule, however, will be the home-court advantage at the Events Center. Last year, Binghamton went 10-5 on its home floor and averaged a conference-best 1,587 fans per night.

"Before I got here, I had to compete in this building," Grimes said. "Now, I'm grateful to be on the home bench. I really appreciate the Binghamton community and all of our fans who come out. Our players feel their support every game."