The Binghamton University women’s basketball team looks to snap their slide on the road as they travel to the University of Maine tomorrow for an America East conference matchup. And for a team looking to gain confidence on the road, Saturday’s game might be the way to go.

The Bearcats have lost six of their last seven road games, including three straight AE games on the road. They appear to be struggling to find a consistent rhythm on the road during their slide, and the team’s mentality in these losses is tough to figure out.

“I don’t think that it’s a different mindset on the road,” said Bearcats head coach Nicole Scholl. “I think it’s a matter of enjoying your home court and being more comfortable here.”

BU has won all three of their home AE games this season, including a Wednesday night rout of then-fifth place New Hampshire, 76-59. It was a complete game for the Bearcats, start to finish and on offense and defense. When the Bearcats are in Vestal, they have shown they are a tough team to beat.

BU senior center Laura Franceski explained their overall road troubles differently.

“The problem on the road is not that we don’t like being in another building,” Franceski said. “[It’s] that we get off to rough starts in those games and they coincidentally are our road games.”

If Franceski is right, the Bearcats could use a great start to Saturday’s game, similar to the 20-2 start the team rattled off in Wednesday’s win over New Hampshire. The run put the Bearcats in firm control of the game.

“We just need to put our heads in the game,” Franceski said. “We need to go out there and play strong from the beginning.”

Maine sports a 2-17 overall record including a 0-6 AE conference record. Their struggles this season make their home floor the easiest place for the Bearcats to win a road game. The largest Black Bears threats are Britany Boser and Samantha Baranowski who nets 10.9 points/game and 7.9 points/game respectively. The Black Bears are currently on a 13-game losing streak.

Overcoming the mental hurdle on the road is about confidence, and Saturday has the potential be the confidence-builder BU needs.

“We try not to look at the other team’s record,” Franceski said. “We like to see how we match up with them and play to their character.”

Binghamton’s last win at Maine was Jan. 4, 2006.

Tip-off for Saturday’s game is at noon.