For Immediate Release: January 16, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton men's basketball flat in 69-60 loss to New Hampshire
Bearcats lose for eighth time in 10 games, fall to 1-5 in America East

Box score

VESTAL, N.Y. - Visiting New Hampshire (6-9, 2-4 America East) shot 50% and put three players in double figures en route to a 69-60 victory over Binghamton (4-11, 1-5 AE) in an America East men's basketball game Sunday afternoon in front of 2,726 at the Events Center.

The Wildcats shot 68% in the first half and built a 12-point halftime margin. In the second half, BU chipped away at the margin, taking a brief 52-51 lead with 4:18 to play on a jumper from sophomore guard Troy Hailey (Hyattsville, Md.). But New Hampshire answered with a three-pointer with 2:49 to play, and the Wildcats outscored BU 18-7 to end the game, with 11 of those points coming at the free throw line. For the game, UNH sank 23-of-31 foul shots.

"New Hampshire played a good first half, but we didn't have the defensive intensity that's required to get the job done, " head coach Al Walker said. "We did come back in the second half and took the lead but we didn't make plays at either end to turn game in our favor. We've got to go back to the drawing board and restart this engine."

Senior forward Craig Walls scored a game-high 16 points and freshman forward Mike Christensen added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Wildcats, who enjoyed a 38-25 margin on the glass.

Binghamton appeared lethargic for much of the game, shooting just 36% from the floor, including 20% from three-point range (5-for-25). The Bearcats pulled down a season-low seven offensive rebounds and were whistled for a season-high 27 fouls.

Junior guard Andre Heard (Oklahoma City, Okla.) led BU with 13 points, but struggled on 3-for-11 shooting. Senior forward Billy Williams (Milwaukee, Wis.) chipped in a season-high 12 points.

Binghamton stays at home to face Stony Brook on Wednesday in the America East TV Game of the Week.