VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's basketball (19-11, 11-6 AE) prepare to face off against No. 2 Maine (18-12, 13-4 AE) in the semifinals of the America East Air Force Reserve Women's Basketball playoffs on Monday. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. in Orono, Maine.

BINGHAMTON VICTORIOUS IN QUARTERFINAL TRILOGY AGAINST BRYANT
Junior guard Bella Pucci banked in the game-winner at the buzzer to lift third-seeded Binghamton women's basketball past sixth-seeded Bryant 45-44 in an Air Force Reserve America East quarterfinal game Thursday night at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. The dramatic win set off a euphoric celebration amid the fans who saw the Bearcats improve to 4-1 in home quarterfinal games.

INSIDE THIS YEAR'S MATCHUP
Binghamton and Maine split their in-season matchup. Binghamton won 62-57 victory over Maine at home, with Kendall Bennett, Bella Pucci and Carletta Bennett combining for 41 points in the victory.

Maine would go on to win the second matchup of the season in Orono 74-67, which allowed the Black Bears to lock up the No. 2 seed in the AE playoffs, leaving Binghamton with the No. 3. 

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Binghamton is 0-8 in America East semifinal play and is 0-3 against Maine in postseason play. The last time Maine and Binghamton faced each other in the postseason was in 2024, when Binghamton carried a lead into the four quarter, but fell 64-58 to Maine after being outscored 24-13 in the final quarter.

Binghamton looks not only to get its first win over the Black Bears in the postseason but also look to advance to the America East Conference championship game for the first time in program history.

THE COMEBACK CATS
Binghamton has proven no matter the score, they are never out of any game. The Bearcats have comeback and won seven games this year when trailing by double-digits at one point in the game. Their biggest deficit was 20-points (35-15) with 6:27 left to play in the third quarter against Bryant. Binghamton would go on to win 66-64 in OT.

OFFENSE LOOKING FOR 60
In conference play this season, The Bearcats are 9-2 when reaching the 60-point mark, showing that reaching this offensive threshold has been a strong indicator of success for the team with the efficiency and pace of play the Bearcats bring. Binghamton is 2-4 when scoring less than 60 points in league play.