VESTAL, N.Y. - After a hard-earned road win Thursday night, Binghamton men's basketball (1-1) returns home to face Rider (0-2) at 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon downtown. For the first time in program history, the Bearcats will play at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena - the first of four games played downtown while the campus Events Center renovations are completed. The game is part of the America East - Metro Basketball Challenge with the America East holding a 6-3 lead after the first set of games between the two northeast-based conferences.
Binghamton's historic game downtown highlights the "One City. One Binghamton." theme for the 2026-27 year.
"We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Kraham for his support of Bearcat Athletics and our One City. One Binghamton. initiative," said
Ze Zeon, Deputy Director of Athletics & Chief Development Officer. "His partnership has been instrumental in making the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena our temporary home for our first four dates while the Events Center undergoes renovations. This is more than just a change in venue ... it's an opportunity to strengthen the connection between our University and the greater Binghamton community, bringing Bearcat basketball into the heart of downtown. We look forward to an exciting game day experience on Sunday and throughout our time downtown."
The Bearcats are riding high after grinding out a 58-55 win at 2022 NCAA Elite Eight program Saint Peter's on Thursday. Senior point guard
Jeremiah Quigley poured in a career-high 28 points and scored the game's final six points – all from the line – in the closing 1:03. After Quigley's pair of foul shots put the Bearcats up 58-55 with 11 seconds left, Binghamton withstood two Saint Peter's potential game-tying shots in the closing three seconds. No more than six points separated the teams throughout and the game featured 15 ties and eight lead changes.
Senior center
Demetrius Lilley notched his second straight double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Senior forward
Dylan Godfrey added 10 points.
Rider has dropped its first two games of the season - at Pitt (95-57) and at home to fellow America East member New Hampshire (66-55). The Broncs are one of five teams across the country who had a complete roster overhaul in the offseason, with no returning players. The team has 14 newcomers, including transfers from UMass Lowell, Akron, GW and Old Dominion. Rider was picked to finish 13th in the Metro Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll after going 4-25 last season.
Rider leads the all-time series 3-1. The teams met four straight years between 2006-09, with Binghamton's lone win coming during its championship season of 2008-09 - a 69-58 home win at the Events Center. This will be the first head-to-head matchup between the two programs in 17 years.
