The Binghamton women's basketball team took a giant step forward during the 2025-26 campaign. After being picked to finish sixth in the America East Preseason Poll, the Bearcats finished third, advanced to the conference semifinals, won 20 games and made it to the second round of the WNIT. It marked Binghamton's best season since the 2019-20 campaign.
 
When the season ended, however, the Bearcats were pleased but not satisfied. They had gotten a taste of winning but were hungry for greater success. After surprising the conference last year, Binghamton returned to campus this fall determined to win its first America East championship.
 
"Last year, we learned how to win," third-year head coach Mary Grimes said. "We became a resilient team and were able to fight back from adversity several times to pull out victories. But coming into this season, there is a sense of unfinished business (among) our returning players."
 
This year, there will be no sneaking up on conference opponents. Binghamton returns a pair of all-conference players from last season as well as a strong senior class. It also has a sophomore class that returns all five of its rookies from last year. In addition, three players who redshirted last season due to injuries are back on the court. Finally, the Bearcats added three promising newcomers.
 
The rest of the conference has taken notice. For the first time in program history, Binghamton has been picked to finish first in the America East Preseason Poll. The respect the Bearcats didn't appear to have last season is now fully theirs.  
 
"It's really exciting for our program to be recognized by the rest of the conference," Grimes said. "The players felt that they wanted that respect from the rest of the America East and now we've got it." 
 
Rather than focus on being the hunted team, however, Grimes has stressed the importance of focusing on what the Bearcats are aiming for.
 
"Some people might say that we have a target on our back but we have something that we are aiming for as well," Grimes said. "We are aiming for a championship. So there are always two ways you can look at a target. It can either be on your back or what you are aiming for."
 
Strong Senior Class Anchors Bearcats
 
Binghamton enters the 2026-27 season with a trio of seniors - all of whom have started the past two years. Shooting guard Bella Pucci and forward Kendall Bennett were both named second-team all-conference last season. Bennett was also chosen to the America East All-Defensive Team, an honor Pucci earned the previous year. Wing guard Yanniah Boyd is the other senior on this year's team.
 
"I am really excited about our senior class," Grimes said. "They value where our program could be and they have put in a lot of work and effort over the years into what they want Binghamton women's basketball to become. They learned how to win last year but they feel like they have some unfinished business this season."
 
Pucci came into her own last season, ranking first on the team and sixth in the conference with 15.1 points per game. She was also second in the conference with 2.2 three-point field goals per game as well as a .388 three-point field goal percentage. In addition, Pucci was third with an .832 free throw percentage. 
 
Most importantly, Pucci has become a clutch shooter. She hit the game-winning layup at the buzzer in the Bearcats' America East quarterfinal victory over Bryant and drained a game-tying three pointer to force overtime at Akron on Nov. 20.
 
"Bella found out last year who she was and what she can be for our program," Grimes said. "She has developed a mental toughness and internal will to win and she just wants to compete. It could be drills, free throws or layups. She is competing in everything that she does and it's great for our team to have that as a role model."
 
K. Bennett also blossomed during her junior season. She ranked No. 10 in the conference with 14.0 points per game, second with both 10.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per contest and was first with a .610 field goal percentage. K. Bennett also ranked sixth with a .771 free throw percentage.
 
In addition, K. Bennett set two single-season Binghamton program records last year. Her field goal percentage of 61.0% and 332 total rebounds ranks first all time. K. Bennett also ranks second all-time in doubles-doubles (17) and eighth in rebound average. 
 
"When I first got here, we had a goal for Kendall to be a walking double-double," Grimes said. "Her shooting has improved because she has focused on making that first shot and not getting rebounds off of her own misses. We also changed up her free throw form and she excelled in that area so that's a reason she was able to average her double-doubles." 
 
Boyd, meanwhile, has reached double-figures in scoring 23 times over the past two seasons. Still, it is the little things that go beyond the statistics in which she has made her truest impact.
 
"What Yanniah does for us does not always appear in the box score," Grimes said. "Her IQ is high and she is able to make that extra pass or get that extra rebound or dive on the floor to get us that extra possession we need. She has been working really hard since last season and we are excited to see how she does this season."
 
All Five Freshmen From Last Season Return
 
The Bearcats had five freshmen on their roster last season. All of them return this year, having gained valuable playing experience. Guards Carletta Bennett and Ashley Redd both earned Rookie of the Week honors from the America East. Guards Klarissa Goode and Leah Fowler as well as forward Daysha Salgado, are the other returners.
 
"To have all five freshmen from last year return speaks volumes about the culture we are trying to build," Grimes said. "They can all see where we can be great on and off the court and this group has learned our system well."
 
C.Bennett was named to the 2026 America East All-Rookie Team and was chosen as the conference's Rookie of the Week twice (Dec. 15 and Feb. 2). She started in 16 games and reached double figures in scoring nine times. Bennett's .464 field goal percentage ranked second on the team.
 
Last year, with the team lacking depth, C. Bennett moved to the forward position during some games. This year, however, the plan is to move her back into the guard rotation.
 
"Carletta is one of those X Factor players," Grimes said. "She has the IQ to play both the guard and forward positions. She was able to have success last year at the forward position even though it was not her strength. She is a very versatile player and does whatever it takes to win."
 
Redd was named the America East Rookie of the Week on Dec. 22 and reached double figures in scoring twice. Against San Diego last Dec. 3, she finished with 11 points, five rebounds and recorded a pair of steals.
 
"Ashley has had a really good summer and preseason," Grimes said. "She is really good at drawing fouls, getting to the free-throw line and getting the rebounds. Like Yanniah, she does a lot of the little things to help us win."
 
Salgado got off to a good start last season before she was derailed by a minor injury. After appearing in 21 games last year, she returns fully healthy this year.
 
"Daysha was actually flourishing before her injury," Grimes said. "She has really good hands in the post and sometimes when the guards throw a high pass, she still comes up with it. This year, we are looking for her to stay healthy and continue to grow as a player."
 
As a freshman, Goode was able to play with her older sister Kaia, who has since graduated. She appeared in 18 games last season.
 
"Klarissa is going to play to her strengths," Grimes said. "When I recruited her in high school, I saw that she has a really good three-point shot in the corner so that's where we are going to use her - by having her do what she is really great at."
 
Fowler, who hails from Sydney, Australia,  was a late addition to the team last year. She arrived on campus after the summer session had been completed. Fowler went on to appear in 10 games during her rookie season. Having been with the Bearcat program over a year, she figures to make a bigger impact as a sophomore.
 
"Leah makes some shots in practice that we are wondering how they even go in (the basket)," Grimes said. "We are excited about her offensive versatility as well."
 
Trio of Players Bouncing Back From Injuries
 
Binghamton also returns three players who did not play last season due to injuries. Redshirt sophomore center Abby Misier appeared in 23 games during her rookie year (2024-25). Junior point guard Kameryn Dorsey transferred from St. Francis (Pa.) prior to the 2025-26 season while redshirt freshman forward Kaitlyn McMillan hails from Waterloo, Ontario.
 
"I am really excited about this group," Grimes said. "They have all come back with a lot of fire and intensity on the court. I think they all did a good job of sticking together last year. They leaned on each other during the rough days. They are tough people who will bring a lot to our program now that they are back on the court."
 
Misier was named the America East Rookie of the Week on Dec. 4, 2024. She led the Bearcats in blocks eight times during her freshman campaign and blocked a career-best four shots at UMass Lowell on Feb. 6, 2025.
 
"Abby got a taste of Division I basketball her freshman year," Grimes said. "She is mentally and physically better now and was able to practice with us towards the end of last year. She has a good understanding of our drills and the system we play."
 
Dorsey appeared in 31 games with six starts during her two seasons at St. Francis (Pa.). During her freshman season (2023-24), she ranked sixth in the Northeast Conference (NEC) with 3.4 assists per game.
 
"Kameryn is a fiery player," Grimes said. "She is exciting to watch and she wants to play fast. Everyone says they want to play fast but she actually does play fast. We are excited for her and what she can bring to our point guard position."
 
McMillan, meanwhile, played her high school basketball at Lo-Ellen Park as part of the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association. She ranked in the 96th percentile in her league with 0.92 points per possession. 
 
"Kaitlyn is a steady player," Grimes said. "She gets her teammates open, makes good passes, sets good screens, rebounds the basketball well and has a nice free-throw jumper that we are excited about."
 
Trio of Newcomers Join Program
 
Binghamton added three players to its roster this season. Junior guard Emma Hákonardóttir transfers from UAlbany. Freshman forward Sophie Elzina René and point guard Camille Gaudreau were teammates at Champlain College Saint-Lambert, which is located in Saint-Lambert, Quebec.
 
"We had a solid team returning this year but we needed to bring in new players who are going to help us get over the hump," Grimes said. "All three of our newcomers come from championship programs and know how to win."
 
Hakonardottir appeared in 31 games in her two seasons with the Great Danes. She was part of the 2024-25 America East regular-season championship squad. Hakonardottir shot 37 percent from three-point range during her two seasons. Originally from Thorlakshofn, Iceland, she was a member of the Iceland Junior National Team for three years.
 
"Emma is a great shooter," Grimes said. "I told her not to come in here and be shy about shooting and she hasn't been."
 
In her senior season at Champlain College-Saint Lambert, René was named a RSEQ Second-Team All-Star as well as an Academic All-Canadien. She averaged 11.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Her team won the Provincial Silver Medal in 2024-25. 
 
"I've watched Sophie's growth and maturity over the past three years," Grimes said. "Every time I've seen her play, she got better and that still holds true today. She has unbelievable athletic ability and a lot of upside, which we are excited about."
 
Gaudreau, meanwhile, dished out a team-high 4.5 assists during her senior campaign. She also averaged 7.4 points and 1.8 steals per game.
 
"When I recruit a point guard, I ask if they can see what I see," Grimes said. "Camille is smooth on the court, directs traffic well and sometimes sees things that even I don't see. She has been doing a good job of commanding the team and she understands the expectations from the coaches."
 
Non-Conference Schedule
 
With the Bearcats poised for a championship run, their non-conference schedule includes several noteworthy opponents to get them ready for America East play. The 14-game slate includes six teams that qualified for postseason play as well as a trip to Puerto Rico for a pair of games in November.
 
"When you have a team that has grown and matured as much as we have, you have to play non-conference games that we can learn and grow from," Grimes said. "We have teams that have done well over the last couple of years, so these games give us a chance to challenge ourselves against programs that have accomplished what we want to this year."
 
Binghamton opens up on Nov. 2 at Monmouth, against a team that advanced to the second round of the WNIT last year. Four days later (Nov. 6), the Bearcats head to Fairfield to take on the defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) champions. 
 
Other road games against teams that earned national post-season bids last season include St. Bonaventure (Nov. 14) and Army (Dec. 2). The Bonnies advanced to the second round of the WNIT while the Black Knights made it to the Great Eight of the same tournament. 
 
In Puerto Rico, Binghamton goes up against Texas San-Antonio on Nov. 26 before facing Providence the following day. The Roadrunners are the defending American Conference champions.
 
Binghamton's two home games during the fall will be held at the downtown Visions Veterans Memorial Arena while renovations to the Events Center are finishing up. Daemen University, which advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II Tournament last year and finished 26-4, is the Bearcats' opponent in their home opener on Nov. 22. Also coming to Binghamton as part of its non-conference schedule is UMass on Dec. 5. The Minutewomen went 23-7 last year and also advanced to the WNIT in 2025.   
 
The non-conference portion of Binghamton's schedule also includes road trips to South Florida (Nov. 18) and Penn (Dec. 19). The Bulls went 20-12 last year as a member of the American Conference, while the Quakers finished 17-10 while competing in the Ivy League.
 
"We are going to be getting a taste of a lot of different styles of basketball during non-conference play," Grimes said. "It will really help us prepare for our conference schedule."
 
America East Conference Schedule
 
Including Binghamton, the America East Conference has four teams that accepted bids to national postseason tournaments last year. Vermont is the defending champion and qualified for the NCAA Tournament. UMBC and NJIT, meanwhile, joined the Bearcats in the second round of the WNIT.
 
"There are a lot of good teams and coaches in our conference," Grimes said. "Every night we have to be ready to show up because several games will come down to just a few possessions."
 
Binghamton opens conference play at home against UMBC on Dec. 31. The Bearcats' return trip to Baltimore is set for Jan. 28. Three days later (Jan. 2), Binghamton heads to Burlington to face the defending champion Catamounts. The rematch at the Events Center takes place on Feb. 11. NJIT, meanwhile, travels to Binghamton on Jan. 16 and hosts the Bearcats on Feb. 6. 
 
The Bearcats' home game against Bryant on Jan. 30 is a rematch of last year's America East quarterfinal game in which Pucci hit her dramatic game-winning shot. The return trip to Rhode Island is slated for Feb. 20.
 
Maine ended the Bearcats' 2026 conference tournament run last year in the semifinals. This season, the two teams face off in Orono on Jan. 21 and in Vestal on Feb. 25. 
 
Other America East home games for the Bearcats are against UMass Lowell (Jan. 14), UAlbany (Feb. 18) and New Hampshire (Feb. 27).
 
On the road, Binghamton also travels to UAlbany (Jan. 9), New Hampshire (Jan. 23) and UMass Lowell (Feb. 13).
 
The top eight teams in the conference qualify for the America East Tournament. The higher-seeded teams will host each of the individual games. The quarterfinals take place Thursday, March 4, followed by the semifinals on Monday, March 8, and the championship game on Friday, March 12.
 
While winning on March 12 is the ultimate goal for Binghamton, staying in the moment will be pivotal as to how the team performs this season.
 
"Last season, we put a little too much pressure on ourselves at times to get to the end," Grimes said. "We've really needed to fine-tune our expectations and just focus on one practice at a time, one day at a time, and one game at a time. We've learned not to look too far ahead or worry about what other teams in the conference are doing. We are really trying to lock in and focus on what we need to do each day ourselves to be successful."