BALTIMORE, Md. – After a valiant fourth quarter rally, Binghamton women's basketball (12-6, 4-1 AE) falls just short to UMBC (8-9, 3-2), 64-58, to suffer their first America East loss of the season.
Bella Pucci led the team in scoring with 13 points.
Kendall Bennett registered 10+ rebounds for the ninth time this season, and
Meghan Casey also provided 10 points for the Bearcats
"We got to figure out how to be tougher and actually get to the rim," head coach Grimes said. "I told the team they (UMBC) were going to be scrappy. The ball was on the floor a ton and I don't think we got those 50-50 balls like we needed to, to get the win today."
The Retrievers got out to an early lead, but Binghamton would go on a 9-2 run over the last 5:22 to take a 16-14 lead after one quarter. Casey contributed six points in the first quarter.
Saturday's contest saw a messy first with both sides combining for a total of 19 turnovers. UMBC took control in the second quarter with a 16-2 run over a six-minute timeframe, taking a 30-18 lead over Binghamton. The Bearcats were able to convert on a few free throws and closed out the first 20 minutes down 34-25.
Binghamton was able to stack the turnovers on UMBC but failed to convert on crucial points off those turnovers, which kept the Retrievers ahead by double-digits heading into the fourth quarter.
Despite the tough first three quarters, the Bearcats played their best basketball in the fourth quarter, going on a 12-5 run over the course of 4:12 to come back and trail by two with 4:18 remaining in the fourth.
The two sides went up and down the court looking to take control of the final minutes of the game. Ultimately, some costly turnovers and missed offensive opportunities by the Bearcats allowed UMBC to hold on to its lead and capture its third conference win of the season.
"I think we got to understand the turnaround. Especially when you play at home and then go on the road." Coach Grimes stated. "We've got to bring it every day and every time."
Binghamton returns to action at the Events Center when they host New Hampshire on Thursday and Maine on Saturday.
