Binghamton University Athletics

Women’s Basketball tips off season at Monmouth

11/1/2026 7:03:00 AM | By: David O’Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)

Bearcats and Hawks meet Monday at 6 p.m.

STORY LINES

- Binghamton begins its 54th season as an intercollegiate program and its 26th as a member of the America East Conference. The Bearcats return three starters from last season's squad that finished 20-13 (10-6 AE) and advanced to both America East semifinals as well as the second round of the WNIT.

- Current senior guard Bella Pucci and current senior forward Kendall Bennett were both named second-team all-conference last year. Bennett was also chosen to the America East's All-Defensive Team.

- For the first time in program history, Binghamton has been picked to finish first in the America East Conference's Preseason Poll. In addition, both Pucci and Bennett are preseason all-conference selections. Furthermore, Bennett is one of just 25 players - and the only one from the America East - to be named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Preseason Watch List.

- Mary Grimes begins her third season as the head coach at Binghamton and her sixth as a college head coach. She has gone 35-28 (17-15 AE) at Binghamton and is 91-58 overall. Grimes was the head coach at Le Moyne from 2021-24.

- The Bearcats begin the season on the road for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Binghamton won 89-62 at Siena on Nov. 5, 2019.

- Like the Bearcats, Monmouth is also the preseason pick to finish first in their conference's preseason poll. The Hawks compete in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). In addition, senior guard Gigi Gamble has been chosen as the CAA Preseason Player of the Year and is joined on the first team by graduate student forward Divine Dibula as a preseason all-conference honoree.

- Binghamton and Monmouth have had only one prior meeting in their series history. The Hawks defeated the visiting Bearcats 60-51 back on Dec. 6, 2008.

- The contest at Monmouth marks the first of a program-record six straight road games for the Bearcats to open up the season. Binghamton's two home games this fall will be held at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena while renovations to the Events Center are finished. The Bearcats are scheduled to return to their home facility when conference play begins during the final week of December.

- It has been 23 years since Binghamton faced a member of the CAA. Most recently, Binghamton defeated Hofstra 64-44 on Nov. 29, 2003.

BEARCATS BY THE NUMBERS

1
Binghamton ranked first in the America East during the 2025-26 season with a .751 free throw percentage.

2
Senior guard Bella Pucci has been named the America East Player of the Week twice during her career (Nov. 2, 2025 & Feb. 9, 2026)

2
Current sophomore guard Carletta Bennett was named the America East Rookie of the Week twice last season (Dec. 15, 2025 & Feb. 2, 2026)

2-0
Binghamton is 2-0 all-time against programs who competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) at the time. The Bearcats defeated Drexel 63-57 on Dec. 1, 2001 and Hofstra 64-44 on Nov. 29, 2003.

4
Junior center Abby Misier blocked a career-high four shots against UMass Lowell on Feb. 6, 2025.

6
Senior guard Bella Pucci has posted six career games with at least 20 points. She scored a career-best 31 points against NJIT on Feb. 7, 2026.

7
Senior forward Kendall Bennett has recorded seven career games with at least 20 points. She finished with a career-high 26 points against UMass Lowell on Jan. 10, 2026.

12
Sophomore guard Ashley Redd finished with a career-high 12 points against Colgate on Dec. 20, 2025

17
Senior forward Kendall Bennett has turned in 17 career double-doubles.

20
Senior guard Yanniah Boyd netted a career-high 20 points against Siena on Dec. 15, 2024.

572

With 572 career rebounds, senior forward Kendall Bennett is currently ranked No. 13 all time in Binghamton program history. Rachel Laws (2002-06) is No. 12 with 624 rebounds while Jen Gaeta is No. 11 with 630 career rebounds.

880
Senior guard Bella Pucci currently ranks No. 22 all time in Binghamton program history with 880 career points. Ranked No. 21, with 897 career points, is Jasmine Sina (2014-18). Gaeta sits at No. 20 with 918 career points.

Print Friendly Version

Bearcats and Hawks meet Monday at 6 p.m.

Related Videos

Related Stories

Sponsors