The Binghamton University women’s basketball team did not even make it to the finals of the America East women’s tournament. Despite this, the team had a very successful conference tournament in their own right.

Last season, Binghamton took a tough loss to end their season.

Playing in Hartford against fourth seeded Albany, the Bearcats amassed a 36-27 lead going into halftime and looked to be on their way to advancing to the conference semifinals for what would have been the third consecutive season. However, Binghamton proceeded to allow the Great Danes to go on a 23-4 run and unraveled, ultimately losing 64-57. This season, the Bearcats took a 35-26 lead at halftime of their quarterfinal game, this time against UMBC. This time, however, the Bearcats played maturely, not allowing for deja vu.

Once the Bearcats put UMBC in a hole, they stepped on the gas.

Showing itself to be a more mature team than last season, despite being younger, Binghamton never let UMBC cut into the lead and opened the lead to as large a deficit as 16 points for the Retrievers. The biggest reason for this: their stingy defense. The Bearcats held UMBC to 28 percent shooting from the field, forcing junior and conference-leading scorer Carlee Cassidy into a 1-for-11 nightmare. Despite the 66-54 score, the Bearcats dominated the game.

With Vermont, Boston and Hartford having established themselves as the top three teams, the Bearcats and Retrievers came into this game each with their eyes set on being that fourth team in the semis. In winning convincingly, the Bearcats ended the “who’s the fourth-best team in the America East” debate.

Despite losing to Boston in the semifinals, Binghamton displayed as much fight and character as they did in dominating against UMBC.

Down 16-3 against the Terriers, who were undefeated in conference play at the time (Vermont beat them in the finals), with 9:04 left in the first half, the Bearcats refused to quit. Playing with passion, the Bearcats fought and actually took a lead, 23-22, going into halftime. The staple of their run, again, was defense. Scoring just three points in 11 minutes to open the game, Binghamton was able to climb back into the game, and even led 47-46 with 3:15 left in the game, before falling 57-53.

Binghamton’s strong showing in the America East tournament bodes very well for the 2009-10 season.

Their harassing defense gives teams problems, and with Laura Franceski the only rotation player graduating, the team will return almost all of its components. America East Rookie of the Year point guard Andrea Holmes will be back and looking to build on her strong freshman season. After hanging 32 and 24 points on Stony Brook and Cornell respectively, everyone knew she could score. With her 4.1 assists per game, she has proved that she can distribute when her shot is not falling. Her excellent rookie campaign makes next year look very promising.

Holmes is a talent, but Binghamton’s cupboard has more in store looking forward.

Viive Rebane, a freshman who started in every game for the Bearcats this season, will return. An all-rookie team selection, she is an excellent two-way player who averaged eight points and 1.7 steals on the year.

Sophomore Jackie Ward hit a game-winner against New Hampshire on March 4 and will be returning. Juniors Erica Carter, Muffy Sadler and Darryll Peterson will be looking for a conference title as seniors. Freshman Orla O’Reilly has talent, but has barely scratched the surface. Maybe 2009-10 will be her coming-out party. With head coach Nicole Scholl entering her second season, she should be able to put her imprint on her team in a big way, just like Kevin Broadus did with the men’s team.