The first win took a little less than three weeks, but it could not have a come at a more crucial time. After starting its season with five straight losses, the Binghamton University women’s basketball team finally broke through with a 71-61 win over La Salle in a non-conference game Saturday.
BU, playing at the Events Center again following its four-point home loss to Bucknell on Wednesday, shot a season-best 50.9 percent from the floor and held the Explorers (3-4) to 39 percent shooting. The team converted on a number of open opportunities created by impressive ball movement.
‘I thought we shared the ball well,’ said BU head coach Rich Conover. ‘We trusted each other, had [a season-high] 20 assists and handled the double teams very well.’
Binghamton senior Laine Kurpniece had a team-high 20 points, shooting a blistering 9-for-10 from the field. She also added five rebounds and four assists to pace her most consistent game of the young season.
‘I definitely was consistent today,’ Kurpniece said. ‘I have had some rough games this season, but today I stayed out of foul trouble and that allowed me to play more.’
The Bearcats took a 31-23 lead into halftime, their first lead at the break all season. La Salle did not hold off the pressure in the second half and BU needed two key runs to keep ahead of the Explorers.
The Bearcats used a 9-0 run to go up 43-31 with 15:28 remaining. The Explorers brought the game within five at 53-48 with 7:50 to play. The Explorers were led by senior Carlene Hightower, who had 11 points during that stretch and a game-high 23.
Binghamton slammed the door shut with a huge 12-0 run to take a 65-48 lead with 3:18 to play. The Bearcats were 4-for-6 from the free-throw line down the stretch for the win.
After struggling to find her shot earlier in the season, it appears that BU sophomore Erica Carter has hit her stride. Carter went 3-for-6 from 3-point range finishing with 15 points and five rebounds.
‘We had good passing and it came down to picking the right shots,’ Carter said. ‘I thought the team played really well and I think we’ve built a lot of confidence today.’
Saturday was BU’s final home game before a tough three-game road stretch that includes a visit to Villanova. The Bearcats’ win should spur some confidence and boost morale as they head away from Vestal.
‘I thought we came out confidently,’ Conover said. ‘We got control of the game and this win can only boost our confidence.’
The victory was crucial to avoid going on the road 0-6.
‘I don’t know what we would have felt like if we lost tonight,’ Kurpniece said. ‘We really needed to win to build our confidence.’
The Bearcats face Duquesne (4-3) in a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. tonight in Pittsburgh.