You only have one more chance.
This is the last time before winter break that you can see Rachel Laws take over a game like she’s Binghamton’s own Michael Jordan. The last time to go nuts as Jen Haubrich dives for a loose ball with reckless abandon or to see the best kept secret in the America East, Laine Kurpniece.
The Binghamton University women’s basketball team will return home from its two-game road swing Thursday night to take on Lehigh (2-5) at 7 p.m. at the Events Center. It will be the last home game before the dorms close for winter break.
The Bearcats (3-3) are coming off a road loss at Morehead State, but have won three out of their last four, including their last two home games. They have gotten solid production from a number of sources, most surprisingly from Kurpniece, sophomore forward Brianna Thompson and junior guard Shea Kenny. These three have each put forth breakout games this season, and have taken a great deal of pressure off of the talented senior trio of, Laws, Haubrich and Jen Blues.
The Bearcats will need to keep up their consistent play, as they take on a very tough Mountain Hawk team that was predicted to finish second in the competitive Patriot League.
“Lehigh is a very solid team,” said head coach Rich Conover. “They’re very well coached, and have several tough players.”
Lehigh is coming off consecutive losses to Arizona and Tulane and will be looking to end its skid. Despite the recent struggles, junior guard Sara Ellis was recently named Patriot League Player of the Week.
The Bearcats have focused on team play all season, getting contributions from everyone, and distributing the ball in a way not seen in previous years. In addition to this, their three-point shooting led by Blues and Kenny has been phenomenal.
It is still early in the season, but Lehigh will be a true test to see whether the Bearcats can maintain a high level of play against tougher America East opponents like Hartford and Boston. The home court advantage on Thursday may give BU the edge it needs.
“We’ve had a good series with Lehigh,” Conover said. “It seems whoever is at home has won, so we hope we can continue that trend.”
For that trend to continue, the Bearcats will need as many fans as possible to pack the Events Center. Don’t miss your last chance before the break to give this team that home court edge it feeds on.