VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton women's basketball (17-6, 9-1) improve to an America East best 9-1 after defeating NJIT (14-10, 5-6) 72-67, Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats are now 11-1 at the Events Center this year and 6-0 when playing conference opponents.
Bella Pucci took over in Saturday's game with 31 points on 10-14 from the field and knocking down five three pointers on seven attempts. Pucci became just the 11th player in program history to surpass the 30+ scoring figure.
"I'm really just trying to do whatever I can to win," Pucci said. "I'm not thinking about a three I just made or how many points I have… I'm doing everything in my power to make sure we win."
Pucci indeed made sure of that, as she scored all five of Binghamton's three pointers, while going 6-for-7 at the line, tallying five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in Saturday's game.
Kendall Bennett also made history after notching her 11th double-double of the season (22pts, 13rebs), becoming the new program leader in the Division I era for most double-doubles in a single season.
"You try not be a fan in the moment, but these two are unbelievable to watch," head coach
Mary Grimes said about Pucci and K. Bennett. "They work so hard and are getting the rewards for all of their hard work."
The big games by the junior class pair were needed on Saturday, as a tough NJIT squad came in looking for redemption after an earlier loss to the Bearcats this season. The Highlanders took control of the second quarter by getting to the free-throw line eight times and converting on seven of them. The Highlanders held Binghamton to just eight points and were able to register 21 points, leading 38-28 at halftime.
Trailing by as much as 12 at one point, the Bearcats were in familiar territory once again and went to work in the third quarter.
Meghan Casey and
Carletta Bennett helped with some early buckets to get the offensive groove going.
From there, it became all Pucci, as she hit back-to-back three pointers to give Binghamton its first lead of the second half at 49-48. Immediately after hitting her fourth three-pointer of the game, she intercepted NJIT's pass across the floor and drove down to an easy layup to force a Highlander timeout with Binghamton leading 51-48 with 52 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Despite the energy and momentum the Bearcats were creating, the Highlanders did not let the score get out of hand. NJIT's Alejandra Zungia drained a three-point shot that made it a one-point game with 3:10 left to play.
C. Bennett hit a nice jump shot to put Binghamton up ahead by three. She then made a crucial steal on Zungia to allow the Bearcats to get to the free-throw line with 51 seconds left to play.
The Bearcats would reach the free throw line three times in the final 50 seconds and converted on four of six attempts, ultimately sealing the deal on Binghamton's 7th double-digit comeback victory of the season.
Binghamton will get ready for a highly anticipated matchup against Vermont (20-6, 9-2) on Thursday.
