A quick trip up north should provide Binghamton University’s women’s basketball team with a chance to get back on its feet.

With star senior center Laura Franceski’s mild concussion, a blowout loss at home against Vermont and an upcoming road game in Albany, the Bearcats have their hands full.

Locked in a tie for fourth place in the America East, Binghamton (9-12, 4-4 AE) can gain ground in the win column as they travel to play Albany this weekend for a conference showdown. The two rivals played three times last season with Albany taking all three games, including a 64-57 win in the AE tournament quarterfinals.

“We haven’t focused that much on last year,” said Binghamton head coach Nicole Scholl. “We devote our attention to the next game on the schedule.”

The Bearcats already have enjoyed success at home against the Great Danes. Franceski led the Bearcats to a 67-63 win in January, snapping the three-game skid to Albany. Franceski had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

“We did great on the boards and played good defense on Britney McGee,” Scholl said. “Obviously we need to keep a better eye on Janea Aiken on Saturday.”

Great Danes forward Aiken dropped 33 points in the road loss, scoring over half of her teams points. But the Bearcats shut down the usually reliable McGee, holding her to 1-4 shooting and three points.

Albany has struggled this season, going just 1-7 in conference play and 3-18 overall. Albany won 10 conference games last season and reached the conference semifinals. Even if Albany won it’s remaining slate of conference games, they would still finish worse than last season.

“It’s always tougher on the road,” Scholl said. “[Albany] has struggled so far, but they’re still a tough team.”

With Franceski down, the Bearcats already suffered a bad home loss against a quality conference foe in Vermont on Wednesday.

“Not having Laura plays a big factor for us,” Scholl said. “That’s why we have a bench, and they need to step up.”

Junior Theodora Panteli started in place of Franceski Wednesday but did not attempt a shot. Freshmen Sinead and Orla O’Reilly also played significant minutes off the bench, but couldn’t fill the void in the paint.

“They’re still adjusting to the college game,” Scholl said on the O’Reilly twins. “It’s tough coming in with not a lot of playing time to play good defense.”

With Franceski’s status for the game uncertain, the Bearcats will have to assume the worst and prepare to play without her.

The Bearcats will need a better performance down low from freshman Viive Rebane, and they need junior Erica Carter to come out of hiding and take over a game. Carter is only shooting 36 percent from the floor and only 33 percent from 3-point range on the season. A big game from her would give Binghamton the best chance for a road win.

Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.