For Immediate Release: February 18, 2004
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Bearcats precise in 62-60 win at Northeastern
BU shoots season-high 56% from field to complete season sweep

Box score

BOSTON, Mass.- Senior forward Leala Wegwerth (Maplewood, Minn.) had a game-high 14 points while sophomore guards Rachel Laws (Wyncote, Pa.) and Jen Blues (Overland Park, Kan.) added 13 points each, leading Binghamton (13-8, 8-5 AE) to a 62-60 road win over Northeastern (11-11, 5-8 AE) in an America East Conference women's basketball game Wednesday night at Solomon Court. The win was the Bearcats' second straight two-point triumph and marked the third time in a row that they have beaten the Huskies on their home floor.

"To go on the road and play such a physical game against a very good team was super for us," head coach Rich Conover said. "The play was sloppy at times, which was a tribute to both teams' defense but we were able to make plays down the stretch to pull out the win."

Binghamton was up 32-29 at the break but Northeastern pulled ahead, 36-34, with 17:46 remaining in the game. From there, the lead went back and fourth until the score was tied at 60-60 with 1:04 remaining.

Blues was fouled away from the ball with 45.6 left and hit one of two free throws to put the Bearcats up 61-60. Laws then made a critical steal when she poked the ball away from Maralene Zwarich. Wegwerth scooped up the loose ball and was fouled with 23.1 second left. She also converted one of two free throws.

The Huskies' last hope came when Zwarich attempted a layup with one second left. The shot was no good and she attempted to get her own rebound but she was tied up by Laws and with Binghamton having the possession arrow, the Bearcats were able to run out the clock for the win.

Laws, who reached double figures for the 18th straight game, also pulled down five rebounds, had three assists and recorded two steals. Wegwerth added eight rebounds.

Binghamton returns home to face Stony Brook on Saturday at 1 p.m.