For Immediate Release: December 5, 2009
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Binghamton women's basketball loses 57-72 to Niagara

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.-- Kayla Stroman scored six of her team-high 14 points in the final four minutes of regulation, leading Niagara (2-6) to a 57-52 win over Binghamton (1-5) in a non-conference women's basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Events Center. The Purple Eagles were down by as many as 15 points in the second half before storming back to stun the host Bearcats in the final minutes.

Trailing 45-30 with 13:36 left in the second half, the Purple Eagles outscored the Bearcats 27-7 down the stretch. Binghamton, however, was undone by 12 turnovers during that span and shot just 2-of-20 in the process.

Niagara capped their comeback when Stroman converted a layup with 4:02 remaining to deadlock the game at 51-51. The Bearcats turned the ball over on their next two trips down the floor and a jumper by Rachele Folinio gave the Purple Eagles the lead for good.

Sophomore point guard Andrea Holmes made one of two free throws with 1:54 left to trim the deficit to 53-52 but Stroman made a layup with 1:05 remaining and sank a pair of free throws with 17 seconds left to go.

Liz Flooks added 13 points for Niagara while Folino and Jennifer McNamee each finished with 11 points.

Senior guard Erica Carter finished with a game-high and season-high 20 points. It marked the third time in her career and the second time against the Purple Eagles, that she has scored at least 20 points.

Junior guard Jackie Ward added 14 points and four steals while sophomore forward Viive Rebane grabbed a game-high and a season-high 14 rebounds. Holmes finished with nine points, six assists and five rebounds.

Binghamton heads to Bryant for a 7 p.m. game on Monday.

NOTE: Carter, who was named the America East Player of the Game, now has 837 career points. In the process, she passes Leala Wegwerth (828 points from 2000-04) and moves into 18th place all time in program history. Carter is 13 points away from tying Katrina Roggenbaum (1990-04) for 17th place all time with 850 points ... Ward has now reached double figures in five consecutive games.