For Immediate Release: December 15, 2006
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton men's basketball explodes in second half to overcome LIU 91-80
Forbes scores all 19 points in final period; BU nets record 62 points in second half

Box Score
Postgame Quotes

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Junior guard Richard Forbes (Far Rockaway, N.Y.) led an offensive explosion in the second half as Binghamton (4-4) rallied past visiting Long Island University (4-7) 91-80 Friday night from the Events Center. Forbes scored all 19 of his points in the pivotal second half as BU put a program-best 61 points on the board to erase a 12-point halftime deficit. The 91 points are the second most in Binghamton's six years of Division I play.

The Bearcats seemed destined for a fourth straight defeat as they trailed by 16 midway through the second half and were down 72-63 with 6:52 left. But BU embarked on a 14-5 run to tie the score at 77-77 with 3:42 remaining and Forbes took over. He scored eight consecutive points beginning with a three-pointer with 2:18 left which gave BU the lead for good. Forbes followed with yet another three with 1:31 left and a driving layup in traffic to stretch Binghamton's lead to 85-77 with 50 seconds left. The Bearcats then sank six free throws in the final 38 seconds to seal the win.

"We certainly played harder in the second half." head coach Al Walker said. "I'm so proud of the guys. We showed a lot of character. This was a game where down the stretch, we had the energy, passion and commitment to make plays."

In the second half, BU hit 24-of-26 free throws (92%) as both teams traded trips to the free throw line. For the game, 59 fouls were called and five players fouled out of the game.

Senior guard Troy Hailey (Hyattsville, Md.) scored 12 of his season-high 19 points in the second half and senior guard Steve Proctor (Largo, Md.) added 13 of his season-high 17 points in the final frame. Proctor sank 10-of-11 free throws to boost his total, and he added six assists and four steals. Junior guard Mike Gordon (Plainfield, N.J.) was BU's fourth player in double figures with 15 points. Gordon also produced four assists and three steals.

Senior guard James Williams scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Blackbirds.

Binghamton begins a four-game road swing to close out 2006 that will take them to Florida and to the University of New Mexico Holiday Tournament. The Bearcats first travel to North Florida for a 7 p.m. game on December 18 and will then play Atlantic Coast Conference member Miami at 7:30 p.m. on December 20.

NOTES: Forbes was named the America East Player of the Game ... Binghamton's offensive output is second only to the 94 points BU scored against Northeastern on January 12, 2002 ... The 61 second-half points surpasses the 54 scored in the final period against Boston University on February 9, 2003.