For Immediate Release: January 12, 2008
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Women's basketball opens conference play with 59-55 win over Boston

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.- Sophomore point guard Muffy Sadler (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) scored the go-ahead layup with 56 seconds remaining and sank a pair of free throws in the final 18 seconds, sparking Binghamton (3-11, 1-0 AE) to a 59-55 win over Boston (8-7, 1-1 AE) in an America East Conference women's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Events Center. The victory snaps the Bearcats' three-game losing streak and gives them their second conference-opening win in the past three years.

"I thought today was important for our confidence," head coach Rich Conover said. "We have a long way to go so I don't want to put too much emphasis on one game. Still, I'm very proud of our effort on the floor today."

Sadler, who finished with a season-high nine points and grabbed six rebounds, put the Bearcats ahead 48-41 when she drained a three pointer with 7:02 left to play. From there, however, Boston went on a 9-2 run to deadlock the game 50-50 with 2:43 remaining.

There were three lead changes in the ensuing 1:25, capped by Aly Hinton's layup with 1:18 left to go, giving the Terriers a 55-54 advantage. On the Bearcats' next possession, all of the Bearcats' post players were guarded tightly, leaving Sadler with an open lane to the basket. She drove to the hoop and converted her game-winning layup.

The Terriers missed their next shot attempt and Sadler grabbed the rebound with 18 seconds to go. She was fouled and hit both of her free throws, extending the lead to 58-55. After another Boston miss, senior guard senior guard Laura Sario (Espoo, Finland) iced the game by hitting one of two free throws with nine seconds remaining.

Sophomore guard Erica Carter (Naperville, Ill.) led all scorers with 14 points while junior forward Laura Franceski (Moscow, Pa.) recorded her second career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. She also registered four blocks and tied a career high with three steals.

Hinton led Boston with 12 points while Jesyka Burks-Wiley and Christine Kinneary each added 11 points.

Binghamton heads to UMBC on Wednesday at noon.

NOTES: Sadler and Kinneary were named the America East Players of the game ... senior center Laine Kurpniece (Riga, Latvia), who had foul trouble in the first half and played only two minutes, finished with eight points, giving her 956 career points. She needs 44 more points to become the 10th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark ... Franceski's 11 rebounds ties her career high. She has now reached double figures in four straight games ... freshman guard Jackie Ward (Pittsford, N.Y.) and Kinneary each had a game-high five assists. In the process, Ward tied her career high.