Women’s basketball clinches home playoff game with 66-58 win over UMBC

Senior guard Kai Moon poured in a game-high 31 points, powering Binghamton (20-8, 9-6 AE) to a 66-58 win over UMBC (10-16, 6-8 AE) in an America East women’s basketball game on Wednesday night at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. With the victory, the Bearcats clinch a top-four seed in the upcoming America East Tournament as well as first-round home game next Wednesday at 7 p.m. In addition, Binghamton’s 20th win of the season ties their highest victory total during their 19-year NCAA Division I era.

Moon, who is now averaging a conference-best 20.5 points per game, was 8-of-21 from the field, sank four three-point field goals and went 11-for-12 from the free throw line. It represents the second time this season that she has reached the 30-point mark in scoring.

Also reaching double figures in scoring was senior guard Karlee Krchnavi, who had 13 points to along with eight rebounds, a pair of assists and three steals. Junior forward Olivia Ramil, meanwhile, finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Binghamton has now won four straight games – its longest unbeaten streak during conference play. The Bearcats will be a top-four seed in the America East Tournament for the second time in three seasons.

“I am ecstatic for this group of young ladies,” head coach Bethann Shapiro Ord said. “They have worked so hard all year. We have a lot of basketball still to be played this year but getting a home playoff game was very important. Our fans have been great this year so this means something to us.”

Binghamton was up 38-24 with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter. UMBC got to within 43-38 before Moon closed the third period with a fast-break layup at the buzzer.

Te’yJah Oliver of UMBC, who finished with a team-high 26 points, pulled her team to within 53-51 on a three-point play with 4:38 left in regulation. Eighteen of her points came in the second half.

The Bearcat defense, however, stopped the Retrievers on their next three possessions. Krchnavi had a steal and rebound on the first two possessions while Moon grabbed the final defensive rebound, was fouled with 3:11 left to play and sank a pair of free throws to pad Binghamton’s lead to 58-51.

In the final 1:28, Moon sealed the win by scoring her last four points. Ramil and Krchnavi also sank a pair of free throws during that stretch.

Janee’a Summers finished with 14 points for UMBC.

Binghamton still has one more regular season game remaining on Saturday – it’s annual Senior Day Game at 2 p.m. against New Hampshire. Moon, Krchnavi and senior guard Carly Boland will be honored during a pregame ceremony.

“It’s going to be an amazing game with honoring our seniors,” Shapiro Ord said. “I don’t want it to come. I want to keep enjoying these young ladies. I’ve had such a blast with them and am so proud of them.”

Notes: The 2017-18 team finished the season 20-12 … Moon’s previous career high of 26 points came against Lafayette back on Nov. 8 … for her career, Moon now has 1,442 points and has 200 three-point field goals.