The Binghamton women’s basketball team continued its hot streak after defeating Bryant in overtime last Thursday, besting UMBC 73-59. Despite a deadlock at the half, a dominant fourth quarter propelled the Bearcats to their fourth-consecutive victory.

“Our team definitely had a huge bounce back from when we played at their place,” Binghamton head coach Mary Grimes said. “I think we executed a lot better and understood the game plan.”

Junior guard Bella Pucci gave Binghamton (16-6, 8-1 AE) its first points of the game thanks to an and-one layup before adding another three to give the Bearcats an early 8-4 lead. The Retrievers (11-11, 6-4 AE) managed to take back the lead, going ahead 11-10 by the first media timeout. UMBC continued to establish leads out of the timeout, but the Bearcats struck back twice to tie the match with key scores from junior guard Leah Middleton. UMBC scored the last buckets of the quarter, however, going ahead 18-15 with a three-pointer.

Middleton continued to rain down shots to open the second quarter, quickly draining a three to tie the match once more. The Retrievers began to pull ahead, but a layup from junior forward Kendall Bennett and a close-range jumper from freshman guard Carletta Bennett brought Binghamton within a score of the visitors. Soon after, a driving layup from Pucci tied the game at 30-30. Both squads scored once more and the scoreboard read 32-32 as the half drew to a close.

“I think we did a better job of finding open people,” Grimes said. “I think we have been a little bit stagnant in the first half in probably the past few games where we were just holding on to the ball too long, but we moved it really, really well.”

Kendall Bennett scored Binghamton’s first points of the second half as both teams continued to trade points. However, the Retrievers pulled ahead, taking a 42-38 lead at the midpoint of the period. The Bearcats responded with a three-pointer from Pucci and they soon captured a 46-45 advantage with another deep make from Pucci.

Binghamton’s lead grew when Kendall Bennett drove in a layup and a pair of free throws as the Bearcats led 50-47. Although the Retrievers responded with a three-pointer, a pair of free throws from junior guard Yanniah Boyd saw the Bearcats leading by one as the third quarter came to a close.

“I think we just stayed consistent through three quarters,” Grimes said. “And then we’ve learned from previous games.”

Looking to close out the match, the Bearcats opened the final period on a 9-2 run, followed by a three-pointer from Pucci. A layup from Kendall Bennett soon after made it 66-53 with just under three-and-a-half minutes in the match. The Bearcats continued their dominant play through the rest of the quarter, outscoring UMBC 7-6 to close out the match with a 73-59 victory.

Pucci led the Bearcats in scoring, netting 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Trailing just behind was Kendall Bennett, who secured her 10th double-double of the season with a 21-point, 13-rebound night on nine-of-11 shooting from the field. The Bearcats shot .519 percent from the field and .438 percent from beyond the arc.

“This team never quits, no matter if we get low or if we were even high, we still play to the end,” Kendall Bennett said. “I feel like that really shows and especially showed today.”

The Bearcats continue their two-game home stand against NJIT on Saturday, Feb. 7. Tipoff is scheduled for noon at the Dr. Bai Lee Court in Vestal, New York.