An attempt to secure its first 10-win conference season since 2004 was unsuccessful this weekend as the Binghamton University women’s basketball team fell at Vermont in the regular season finale 63-49.
Binghamton (11-18, 9-7 America East) came into the game guaranteed the fifth seed in the tournament regardless of the outcome.
“We didn’t have that do-or-die mentality,” said BU head coach Rich Conover.
Vermont sophomore guard Courtnay Pilypaitis scored 13 of her team-high 20 points in the second half, leading Vermont (22-7, 13-3 AE) to a win on Senior Night, padding their second seed for the tournament.
“Vermont is very tough on their home court,” Conover said. “It was their Senior Day and they played with a lot of energy.”
The Catamounts took a 32-26 lead into halftime overcoming the 50 percent shooting from the floor from the Bearcats. BU was beset by 15 turnovers in the first half. Turnovers have been Binghamton’s “Achilles’ heel” this season. They are averaging 18.6 turnovers a game, which is two more than their opponents. Another problem has been their uninspired performances going into second halves.
Vermont took control in the second half pushing their lead to 50-39 with 8:17 to go in regulation on a basket by junior Sy Janousek. The Bearcats were held to just 27.3 percent from the floor in the second half.
“Even though we couldn’t improve our standing, we wanted to go out on a high note but we didn’t get it done,” Conover said.
BU senior Laine Kurpniece scored a game-high 21 points and added six rebounds and four assists in the loss. Teammate Erica Carter tallied 10 points and seven rebounds.
“Laine is a key component for us,” Conover said. “As she goes, we go, and she understands that.”
Binghamton will head to the conference tournament this weekend where they will face fourth-seeded Albany in a quarterfinal matchup on Friday at 8 p.m. The tournament is being hosted by Hartford, the top seed in the tournament.
“We’re going to have to change things,” Conover said. “We’ll make minor adjustments and go in with the right attitude.”