DURHAM, N.H. – Binghamton women's basketball (18-10, 10-5 AE) fell to New Hampshire (9-19, 3-12 AE) 67-48 Thursday night at Lundholm Gymnasium. The Wildcats, who desperately needed a win to stay in America East playoff contention, scored their highest point total in conference play this season on 61% shooting with seven threes and 80% from the free throw line.

"Give them (UNH) a lot of credit for playing their zone and stifling us," head coach Mary Grimes said. "They had a loud and crazy environment … being able to think in the chaos is something that we got to overcome."

The Bearcats shot well in the first quarter and got out to a 16-8 lead with 2:32 on the clock. Bella Pucci got going early, shooting 5-for-6 in the first half with two three pointers to give a game high 12 points.
New Hampshire responded with a strong second quarter by shooting 85% from the field and connecting on three, threes over a three-minute period that saw the Wildcats take their first lead of the game at 29-27.

The Wildcats continued to stay hot on the offensive side of the ball, outscoring Binghamton 21-11 on 77% shooting in the third quarter to lead by 12 entering the last 10 minutes of play.

The Bearcats had opportunities to get back into the game but could not convert on their chances to generate another notorious Bearcat comeback.

Despite the loss, Binghamton still has the chance to lock up the No. 2 seed when the team takes on Maine (11-5 AE) on Saturday. The winner of Saturday's matchup will secure the No. 2 seed, with the losing squad locked in at the No. 3 spot.