Looking at its schedule alone, it is easy to say Binghamton University women’s basketball has gotten off to a poor start in the 2009-10 season.

The Bearcats are 2-5. They are 0-3 at home, and with no home games left until Dec. 19, will finish the fall semester winless at the Events Center. Their five losses have come by an average of 11 points per game.

Despite their slow start, standings can be deceiving. Both women’s and men’s basketball showed that last season.

Binghamton women’s basketball started last season with a 4-8 record, before rallying to a No. 4 seed in the America East Conference tournament and coming within 3:15 of upsetting Boston University in the semifinals after taking a 47-46 lead in the game. All but one of the team’s first eight losses were by double digits, but that did not stop the team from having a successful year.

Looking at the 2009-10 Binghamton women’s basketball team, there is strong reason to believe that the team has more than enough ability to overcome its slow start to the season and achieve the No. 3 seed in America East that the preseason coaches’ poll predicted.

First off, some of the team’s important individual players have gotten themselves off to strong starts. Sophomore Andrea Holmes has been outstanding in leading the team from the point guard position, averaging 14.0 points, 6.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. Holmes attempts five free throws per contest and hit eight 3-pointers in her team’s loss against Syracuse University. She has shown as a sophomore that when played hard on pick-and-rolls, she can get to the rim, and if the defense sags, she can hit the outside shot. In her senior season, Erica Carter has averaged a team-leading 16.6 points per game, including a 35-point explosion against Bryant University, setting a school record with nine 3-pointers made. Junior Jackie Ward has played solidly as well, averaging 13.0 points per game despite scoring three points on 1-of-13 shooting in the season opener against St. Bonaventure University.

Another encouraging factor for the Bearcats in their start has been the rebounding margin. In the team’s last five games, two of which were wins, Binghamton has won against or tied with opponents in rebounding. Controlling the boards was a concern coming into the season with last year’s center Laura Franceski graduating, but the Bearcats have seemingly rectified this issue. Only averaging 8.0 points per game combined, sophomore Viive Rebane and senior Theodora Panteli have been strong on the glass, averaging 6.4 and 5.1 rebounds per game, respectively.

Along with strong individual play, the Bearcats’ strength of schedule has been high, making the team’s record somewhat misleading. The Bearcats have lost to St. Bonaventure, Syracuse, Lehigh University, Canisius College and Niagara University. St. Bonaventure, who beat the Bearcats in their home opener, has started the season 9-0; its closest game was a 77-67 win over Quinnipiac University. Syracuse is not far behind: they are 8-0 and their 74-66 win over Alabama State University has been its closest call of the season. Lehigh is 7-2, with all its wins coming by double figures. Canisius is a 5-2 team, with one of its losses coming against St. Bonaventure. Binghamton lost a 49-46 game against the Golden Griffins that easily could have been won. The Bearcats did lose a game they should not have against 2-7 Niagara, despite leading 45-30 with 13:36 left in the contest; this is the only bad loss they have had in their first seven games. The Bearcats may be 2-5, but their losses have come to teams with a combined record of 31-10. A couple of breaks here and there against Canisius and Niagara, and the team easily could have been 4-3.

With six games left before its conference schedule begins, Binghamton women’s basketball has plenty of time to improve upon its record and get ready for the most important part of its season. Despite the record, if the team continues to play the way it has been, it should be able to accomplish this with aplomb.