Binghamton University’s women’s basketball team needed something to jump-start their season. The Bearcats (4-4) lost their home opener to Portland State. They were handed a 79-73 loss to Canisius in a game that was not as close as the score indicated. Their three wins — against Colgate, Bryant and Niagara — were all expected.
Binghamton got their jump-start against La Salle University (4-5) in the form of a 53-47 victory.
On Saturday, Binghamton traveled to Pennsylvania to play the La Salle Explorers in what figured to be a tough game against a quality Atlantic 10 opponent. In winning consecutive games for the first time this season, Binghamton passed this test with flying colors.
In a resilient effort, the Bearcats rallied back from a 14-9 deficit to take a 28-23 halftime lead, which they never relinquished after intermission.
Binghamton made their mark against La Salle with their defense and rebounding — the two stories of the game. The Bearcats held the Explorers to 32.7 percent shooting (16-49) for the game and out-rebounded them 35-26. Binghamton has made their defense a point of emphasis all season long, and it paid dividends in holding La Salle to under 50 points. Their total of 47 points represents the second lowest total the Bearcats have surrendered in a game this season; Colgate only scored 41 points in the team’s first win.
“We did a great job on the defensive end today,” said BU head coach Nicole Scholl. “We held them to one shot and did a good job of protecting the paint. Our defense has continued to improve and will get better as the season goes on.”
While the Bearcats turned in a balanced all-around effort against La Salle, senior Laura Franceski stood out. Franceski scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and had three blocks in the game. Her blocks have been a story all season long; as of Nov. 30, she was 14th in the country in blocked shots. Currently, Franceski is swatting 3.25 shots per game, and her three blocks against La Salle were a key to the defensive effort.
“My job with this team is to score in the post and defend in the paint,” Franceski said. “I think I did a good job of that today, and I am excited to get a win streak going.”
The Bearcats also received a strong contribution from Erica Carter, the team’s leading scorer. Carter is known for having 3-point range and scoring from the outside. However, she has helped the team in other ways as well, and was second on the team against La Salle with five rebounds. Carter commented on her role in the win, and was pleased with the way the Bearcats played.
“My job is to go out there and put up points,” Carter said. “But also, I am out there to play good defense. We are starting to play well, and I hope to keep it up.”
Overall, winning against La Salle was a very positive step forward for the Bearcats. The win has improved the Bearcats to 3-1 away from the Events Center.
“Anytime you win on the road, it’s a good win,” Scholl said. “La Salle is a good team; to go into their place and get one is an accomplishment.”
The Bearcats, now on a winning streak, look to maintain their winning ways against Villanova tomorrow at the Events Center. Villanova comes to Binghamton off a win over Lehigh.
“We know we have some tough games coming up, but we will play hard and hopefully we are ready,” Franceski said.