University of Albany’s SEFCU Arena was named after the State Employees Federal Credit Union entered a 10-year naming rights deal with the university.
On Saturday however, the arena failed to protect the Albany Great Danes, as the Binghamton University women’s basketball team (10-12, 5-4 America East) secured a 66-63 victory over the Albany Great Danes (3-19, 1-8 AE), maintaining its hold on fourth place in the America East.
The star of the game was Andrea Holmes, BU’s starting point guard. A freshman, Holmes’ play has blossomed over the course of the season. She averaged 6.6 points per game over November and December, but has posted a 14.1 per game scoring average from January on, during which time she eclipsed the 20 point barrier three times.
In the Feb. 4 game against Vermont, the Catamounts constantly hedged on ball screens, using hard double-teams to prevent Holmes from attacking the rim. However, Holmes bounced back from a poor showing against Vermont to the tune of 24 points, five rebounds and five assists against the Great Danes.
“It was really about concentrating on my shot,” the freshman point guard said. “I had it on my mind that we really needed some points in the second half, and I went out and got them. I knew the team needed me tonight.”
Holmes’ outstanding performance anchored the Bearcats in Albany, but one of the key reasons for their success was the adjustments made by Binghamton head coach Nicole Scholl after the home loss to Vermont. Having lost by 26 points (64-38) in the team’s previous game, the Bearcats wanted to bounce back. In winning, the Bearcats avoided losing consecutive games for the first time since December. Scholl was pleased with the way her team put Holmes in positions to succeed after her rough 5-16 outing against Vermont, as well as her team’s play on the fast break.
“Vermont and Albany are different teams,” Scholl said. “Albany didn’t double-team Andrea as much as [Vermont] did and we were able to take advantage. We also did a good job of getting out in transition and getting some easy baskets, something we didn’t do in the Vermont game.”
Another positive development in Binghamton’s victory over the Great Danes was the solid play of its bench, according to Scholl. The Bearcats have been without senior center Laura Franceski for two games due to injury. Franceski’s absence has been apparent in the team’s struggles on the boards and on defense. Binghamton has been out-rebounded a combined 81-57 over its past two games without Franceski, and has blocked just four shots over that same span. Franceski averages 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, both team highs. However, Scholl was pleased that other players stepped up in Franceski’s absence, notably Jaki Goldner. Goldner had a career-high 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks off the bench, helping to ease the burden of playing shorthanded.
“Jaki Goldner played a very good game for us tonight,” Scholl said. “She did a great job filling in for Laura.”
Binghamton now comes home to play Hartford (13-8, 8-1 AE) tomorrow, Feb. 11. The Hawks stand at second in the America East and beat the Bearcats earlier this season in Connecticut.