There’s more than one hoops team in town for the BU Zoo to root for.

The Binghamton women’s basketball team steps on the court for the first time this Monday at 7 p.m., in exhibition action against Division II Le Moyne College. After a representative performance against each other in the Green and White game, the women look to find more cohesion and spark. The Bearcats were picked fifth in the America East preseason coaches’ poll on Wednesday.

“We’re excited to get this season going,” said head coach Rich Conover. “The league [America East] is very strong.”

Exhibition games are normally used by coaches to determine their starting lineup and player rotation from the bench. Rachel Laws, Jen Blues and Jen Haubrich, the three senior leaders from last year, graduated, and a bunch of underclassmen will look to fill their shoes.

“The young players look very athletic and will have to step up as college players,” Conover said.

With only two seniors on the roster in starting point guard Shea Kenny and guard Rebecka Lindgren, younger players will see a lot of time on the court this year. Junior center Laine Kurpniece emerged as a powerful force in the post a year ago and was selected to the America East preseason first team this week. Laura Franceski, Juta Jahilo, Brianna Thompson and Erin Owens are all in the running to start at the power forward spot vacated by Haubrich.

On the perimeter, Blues’ shooting guard spot is also up in the air, with up to five players vying to start. Lindgren, who will see some time at the point with Kenny, is in a fight for playing time with all four freshmen on the roster. Muffy Sadler, Erica Carter, Darryll Peterson and redshirt frosh Lauren Regan all impressed at the Green and White game, potentially giving Conover more options.

Junior wing guard Laura Sario looks like a clear favorite to replace Laws at small forward; the newly minted Finnish national team member filled in extremely well last January when Laws injured her ankle, averaging 13 points per game.

Pipe Dream will have full coverage of the women’s basketball season on Tuesday.