For Immediate Release: November 30, 2004
Contact: John Hartrick
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton men's basketball sharp in 71-63 win over St. Francis
Four players in double figures as Bearcats shoot 52% from floor

Box score

VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton men's basketball (2-3) ran its offense like clockwork en route to a 71-63 win over visiting St. Francis (N.Y.) (1-1) in front of 2,606 Tuesday night at the Events Center. Shooting just 33% entering the game, the Bearcats hit on 52% from the floor, and withstood a gallant St. Francis effort with eight free throws in the game's final 4:27.

Junior guard Andre Heard (Oklahoma City, Okla.) scored a team-high 18 points, and classmate Sebastian Hermenier (Rockville, Md.) contributed 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his career. Hermenier scored 12 of his points in the pivotal second half. Junior forward Schafer Jackson (Provo, Utah) dropped in three three-pointers en route to a season-high 11 points.

"It feels good to finally get a win," head coach Al Walker said. "Most importantly, we're starting to see Andre Heard evolve as the leader in the backcourt. As this continues, I know we're going to continue to get better. If we continue to defend and rebound like we did tonight, good things will happen."

The Bearcats trailed 27-24 with 4:50 remaining in the opening half, but ended the period on a 12-2 run to forge a 36-29 advantage. Jackson drained a pair of three-pointers in a 43-second span, and Heard scored four of his nine first-half points during that key run.

In the second half, BU led by just one, 39-38, with 14:36 left before another Jackson three-pointer boosted the margin again. The Terriers cut the margin to three with 5:48 remaining, but Heard and Hermenier converted back-to-back layups to stretch the lead.

St. Francis, who played just six players, put four players in double figures. Freshman center James St. Robert tallied a game-high 20 points and senior forward Devon Neckles added 15.

Binghamton returns to action this Friday with an away game at Brown.