For Immediate Release: January 15, 2005
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton women's basketball rolls over New Hampshire, 67-42
Bearcats even conference mark at 2-2, deal UNH first loss

Box Score

VESTAL, N.Y.-- Freshman center Laine Kurpniece (Riga, Latvia) scored a game-high 15 points to lead a balanced offensive attack and spark Binghamton (3-10, 2-2 America East) to a 67-42 win over visiting New Hampshire (7-6, 3-1 America East) in an America East women's basketball game Saturday afternoon from the Events Center. The Bearcats shot 51% and won for the second straight game after losing nine straight. The setback was the first in four conference games for the Wildcats.

"I'm very pleased with the way we came out today," head coach Rich Conover said. "Our confidence level was very high and showed out on the court. I thought we moved the ball very well and that allowed us to get easy baskets. The league is going to be very tough so it's very important to defend your own court. Hopefully we can continue our winning streak on the road at Stony Brook."

Binghamton shot 56% in the first half and took a 12-point lead into intermission. New Hampshire used an 8-2 run to open the second half, trimming the deficit to six, 35-29. But the Bearcats took control for good, outscoring UNH, 21-4, to open up a 21-point lead.

Kurpniece hit on 6-of-8 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. Freshman guard Laura Sario (Espoo, Finland) contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, and classmate Nicole Lobach (Hanover, Pa.) added a season-high nine points and five assists. Junior forward Rachel Laws (Wyncote, Pa.) chipped in nine points, six rebounds and four assists.

"The team is starting to come together both on and off the court," Laws said. "Everyone is contributing and everyone is starting to step up."

New Hampshire received 10 points from junior guard Ebony Woods.

Binghamton next heads to Long Island on Tuesday to face Stony Brook in the America East TV Game of the Week. That game will be broadcast on Fox Sports New York, New England and Fox College Sports, as well as the Empire Sports Network.

NOTES
The 25-point victory margin is BU's highest in four seasons of America East play. The previous high was a 64-40 cushion over Boston University on January 11, 2002.