The Binghamton University women’s basketball team is downing America East Conference opponents like Cookie Monster downs cookies.

The Bearcats (6-12, 4-1 AE) claimed their latest victim Saturday, defeating Stony Brook, 59-35. The victory moved Binghamton into second place, a half game behind Hartford and Vermont.

‘I thought we played well overall,’ said BU head coach Rich Conover. ‘We worked well against Stony Brook, who was a good defensive team.’

The Seawolves (6-12, 1-4) tried their best to hold off the Bearcats with a total of 39 rebounds, but the Bearcats offense, led by senior forward Juta Jahilo, set the pace with a team-high 11 points. Sophomore Erica Carter netted 10 points. It’s a bounce-back win for Binghamton, which fell to host Hartford, 62-45, on Tuesday.

‘I think we really needed that win to get our confidence back [after] the game,’ explained Jahilo. ‘We really worked together to win this game.’

The Bearcats had 14 assists while the Seawolves had three. All of the players contributed to the game working together on the court to place the ball into the net.

Binghamton took the first half by storm, entering the break with a 30-15 lead. Jahilo scored eight points, Carter scored seven and junior Laura Franceski scored six.

The Bearcats struggled at the beginning of the second half. It took them seven minutes to score their first field goal of the half; by then, the Seawolves narrowed the score down 30-20. Binghamton redeemed itself by going on 22-5 run that brought the score to 53-25 and with four minutes remaining.

Kairsten Nunn led Stony Brook with 11 points.

As the Bearcats gear up for the showdown against rival Albany on Saturday, they will strive to work harder to keep up the victories.

‘The intensity the team has is growing,’ Carter said. ‘We need to work every single day and stick together to get better.’

‘There have been a few surprises this season,’ said Jahilo, smiling. ‘We just need to be ready to go.’