A disappointing end to last season spurred the change that might lead to Bearcats success. The Binghamton University’s women’s basketball program left behind five-year head coach Rich Conover at the end of last season and promoted the associate head coach Nicole Scholl to the top job for the start of this season. She had been an assistant coach at Binghamton for the last nine years.
“The players have worked hard,” Scholl said. “They have had a great summer and a great preseason so far. I have been very happy with how things have gone the past few months.”
Binghamton is looking to improve upon its seven-point loss to Albany in the America East quarterfinals last season. It was a disappointing end for seniors Laura Sario and Laine Kurpniece who were named to AE all-conference teams.
BU will look to its returning starters to lead this young team.
“With the three returnees coming back, we have great leadership,” Scholl said. “Erica Carter, Muffy Sadler and Laura Franceski are all ready to go.”
Senior forward Franceski will now have the opportunity to lead the team by dominating the paint. Last season she tallied 1.9 blocks per game while pulling down 5.3 rebounds and 9.4 points per game while sharing time with Laine Kurpniece.
“Defense is my strong point,” said Franceski. “I need to stay out of foul trouble and lead by example.”
Junior Erica Carter returns averaging 9.8 points per game and shooting 39 percent from 3-point range last season. Carter was considered the third option behind then-seniors Sario and Kurpniece and now will have a chance to grow into a dominant scoring threat.
“I work hard and stay positive,” says Carter. “We have a lot of scorers and I look to do what I can.”
“Franceski and Carter I feel are going to have breakout seasons this year on the offensive end with Laura scoring on the inside and Erica from the outside,” Scholl said.
Entering the Division I basketball arena for the first time are five freshmen for Binghamton. Orla O’Reilly, Andrea Holmes and Viive Rebane are expected to produce for Binghamton early on.
“We have added some speed in the backcourt along with some depth,” Scholl said. “Andrea Holmes and Orla O’Reilly will help us with our depth in the backcourt.”
The Bearcats look to improve upon their poor second halves that marred the team last season. The Bearcats lost a host of games last year after leading at halftime because of poor second half play. Most notably was in the AE quarterfinals when BU blew a nine-point halftime lead to bow out of the AE tournament and any chance of qualifying for the NCAA tournament.
“We have been working endurance for second halves,” said sophomore Jackie Ward. “Hopefully we’ll be able to turn it around.”
The Bearcats opened play at St. Bonaventure last Friday dropping the game 66-51. The Bonnies exploded offensively to open up a lead after a 30-24 halftime lead. They used a 15-6 run to go up 45-32 with 11:56 remaining.
An 8-0 run put the game out of reach when St. Bonaventure went up 57-37 with 6:12 to go.
The Bearcats were led by junior guard Carter and freshman forward Rebane, who tallied 10 points each. Rebane also grabbed six boards.
Binghamton went 25 percent from 3-point range while the Bonnies shot 40 percent each attempt 16 and 15 3-pointers, respectively. Poor shooting for the game in general plagued the Bearcats as they finished shooting just 31 percent for the game.
“St. Bonaventure is an experienced team,” Scholl said. “It showed as the game went on. We have a younger team, but we should be fine as the season continues.”
Getting a read on how well the team will play as the season progresses is difficult as they are still finding a rhythm to stick to. A young team will take time to find its footing and BU’s fans may have to be patient early this season.
“It’s too early to tell anything,” junior Muffy Sadler said on their future. “Give us time and we’ll have a good shot at the conference.”
The team is in good spirits and functions well on and off the court.
“We have great chemistry on and off the court,” Franceski said.
“Our chemistry is amazing,” Carter said. “The freshmen fit in real well.”
The Bearcats head to Colgate tomorrow for a 7 p.m. game. Last season, the Bearcats claimed a 74-26 rout at the Events Center.
Binghamton then hosts its season opener against Portland State this Friday at 7 p.m. in the Events Center. The Bearcats look for revenge following a 62-60 loss in Portland last season.