SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After being down as much as 20 points, Binghamton women's basketball (15-6, 7-1) clawed its way back to force overtime and pick up its seventh America East victory of the season against Bryant (14-7, 4-4), 66-64 on Thursday night. This is the first time in program history that Binghamton has started 7-1 in America East play.
 
"It's unbelievable that we're making history for our university," head coach Mary Grimes said on starting 7-1. "The players are showing up every day and working hard, and they're getting what they deserve."
 
After clawing their way back and going a perfect 11-for-11 at the free throw line, the Bearcats found themselves trailing by three until Meghan Casey hit a clutch three-point shot with 22 seconds left to force overtime at 57-57.
 
As the two sides traded points to start overtime, Bryant would head to the free throw line, making 1-of-2 attempts to give them a 64-61 lead with 2:14 left to go. Driving down the court, Bella Pucci found Kendall Bennett for an easy bucket to trail by one with less than two minutes to go.
 
The Bearcats defense showed up when it was needed most, getting a block and forcing two turnovers to keep the score at 64-63. Freshman Carletta Bennett tallied a new career best 14 points, with her 14th point being the most crucial point of her career as she hit a driving layup to give the Bearcats their first lead of the game, 65-64, with 29 seconds remaining.
 
The Bulldogs came out of their timeout looking for the go-ahead basket but would turn the ball over with K. Bennett intercepting a pass to collect the steal and force the Bulldogs to foul. K. Bennett would go on to make one free throw to put Binghamton up 66-64.
 
Bryant drove down the floor and attempted to tie the game with a driving layup but would be rejected under the rim by K. Bennett with her fourth block of the contest. The Bulldogs got one more opportunity and took it with a wide-open three-point shot, but could not capitalize on the shot, leaving Binghamton to steal the victory at the Chace Athletic Center.
 
"I'm just so proud of my team," K. Bennett said postgame. "We were fighting through adversity and made sure to play till the end." K. Bennett finished with 24 points, six rebounds, four steals and four blocks.

Bella Pucci extended her 10+ scoring streak to nine games with 14 points, while Casey also registered 10 points to put four Bearcats in double figures in scoring in Thursday's victory. 

The 20-point comeback ties the largest comeback in program history (D1 era).

The Bearcats get the weekend off and will return to action for two home games next week, starting with UMBC on Thursday for the Bearcats' Throwback game. Tip-off is slated for a 6:07 p.m. start time.