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The University of Maine women’s basketball team picked up their second victory in a row after defeating Binghamton University 48-47 on Saturday.
The Black Bears improve to 6-16 overall and 3-6 in America East, while the Bearcats fall to 10-12 and 4-5 in conference.
“The last couple practices, we’ve been really focused,” said junior guard Rebecca Knight. “We just worked really hard.”
Binghamton jumped out to a 9-3 lead to start the game, but the Black Bears narrowed it down to a single point in the final minute of the half.
UMaine and Binghamton together grabbed 21 total rebounds by halftime. Evenly matched, both teams swapped leads nine times throughout the entire game.
The Black Bears grabbed the lead on the first possession of the second half and the deficit toggled back and forth between the two teams, never reaching more than five points.
With only 2 minutes left in the game, UMaine led by one point.
The Black Bears slowed down their play to look for guaranteed scoring opportunities. Full-court pressure flustered the Bearcats and caused them to lose possession. With an exciting 30 seconds left, UMaine sunk a basket and extended their lead by two points.
Several fouls committed by the Bearcats gave UMaine chances for easy points. Head coach Richard Barron called the final timeout with only 5 seconds left in the game. A foul called underneath Binghamton’s basket brought sophomore guard Ashleigh Roberts to the free-throw line.
Roberts made both baskets, bringing the lead to 48-44. With time running out, a last-second toss to the basket by Bearcats’ guard Andrea Holmes was too little too late.
“It was such a great win for us, it was neck and neck,” Barron said. “We didn’t give that big run up. I thought we executed our defensive game plan very well. We took care of the ball.”
Senior forward Samantha Baranowski scored a total of 20 points for the Black Bears.
“Another career high for Sam,” Barron said. “She is inching up one point at a time.”
To go along with the 20 points, Baranowski also picked up eight rebounds for UMaine, while senior guard Brittany Williams added nine points.
“I was very proud,” Barron said. “It was one of our best all-around efforts all year.”
The Black Bears’ next game is against Boston University on Feb. 8in the Alfond Arena. BU ranks first in the America East conference.
Bangor Daily News