Bearcats fall just short in rematch with Maine and Lady Bearcats rally falls short, lose by 6

2/16/2013 (Updated 10:57:24 PM)

VESTAL, N.Y.Sophomore guard Zarko Valjarevic scored 25 points and Maine (11-15, 6-7 America East) sank just enough free throws in the final two minutes to hold off Binghamton (3-23, 1-12 AE) 64-60 in front of 3,362 Saturday night at the Events Center. The loss overshadowed a huge performance from BU freshman guard Jordan Reed, who produced game-highs of 29 points and 17 rebounds.

The Black Bears built a 13-point halftime lead and didnt allow Binghamton closer than four in the second half, despite an onslaught from Reed, who put up 26 points and 11 rebounds in the final 20 minutes alone. Reed, who ranked second in the nation (among guards) in double-doubles entering the evening, recorded his third straight and conference-best 11th of the season. His 29 points were a season-high and the rebound total, which included a BU-record 10 on the offensive glass, was one shy of his own school record, set back in November against St. Peters.

But the Bearcats shot only 30 percent for the game and dug themselves a double-digit halftime hole for the third straight game after hitting just 7-of-33 attempts in the opening frame. Reed shook off an 0-for-10 start and kept Binghamton in it down the stretch.His jumper with 8:59 to play pulled the Bearcats to within four, 47-43. But Valjarevic responded with a three-pointer and Maine rattled off six straight points to regain a double-digit margin. Three times in the ensuing five minutes Binghamton cut its deficit to five, but could draw no closer. Reed scored eight points in the final 3:08 but the Black Bears made 6-of-10 free throws to hang on.

We struggled so much in that first half but I liked what we were getting, head coach Tommy Dempsey said. We had a bad half shooting but we were doing good things and we competed through that and gave ourselves a fighting chance. After missing some assignments and not communicating enough in that first half, I thought we found a better defensive combo and we were able to convert more on the offensive end in the second half. Jordan (Reed) responded in the second half. He has a huge heart and is so competitive and coachable. He is wired to be a special player.

In addition to Reed (9-for-32 FG), senior guard Jimmy Gray reached double figures with 13 points. Junior center Roland Brown just missed a double-double with nine points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Classmate Brian Freeman added six points, eight rebounds and three blocks.

The Bearcats won the rebound battle 52-46, though BUs total is skewed with 16 offensive boards off misses. Binghamton left eight points at the free throw line, though Maine struggled more, missing 16 free throws (22-of-38), including nine in the second half.

Binghamton is off until traveling to Durham to face New Hampshire on February 24.

NOTES
Reed and Valjarevic were named the America East Players of the Game.

(Courtesy: BU Athletics)

VESTAL, N.Y.Liz Wood scored a game-high 22 points and added 13 rebounds, leading Maine (3-22, 2-10 AE) to a 74-68 win over Binghamton (4-22, 3-10 AE) in an America East womens basketball game on Saturday afternoon at the Events Center. The loss is the fifth in a row for the Bearcats, who were unable to sweep the season series from the Black Bears.

Wood scored 17 of her points in the first half as Maine took a 38-33 lead at the break. The Black Bears as a team shot 51 percent in the opening 20 minutes, making 15 of their 29 field goal attempts as well as five of their 10 three-point attempts.

In the second half, Binghamton held the Black Bears to 32 percent from the floor. At the other end of the floor, however, the Bearcats misfired on nine of their 11 second-half free throw attempts.

I though this game came down to their offense in the first half and our free throw shooting in the second half, head coach Nicole Scholl said. Its frustrating because defensively, we played a lot better in the second half.

After halftime, Binghamton trimmed the deficit to 41-39 on a layup by junior guard Vanesshia Paulk. Junior guard Jasbriell Swain, who finished with 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, kept the Bearcats within 45-43 when she converted a layup with 14:18 left.

Up 61-57 with 4:49 left in regulation, Maine sank four consecutive free throws in a span of 43 seconds to take a 65-57 lead. The Black Bears then sealed the win by going 9-for-12 from the free throw line in the final 90 seconds with Wood making the final two attempts.

Sophomore forward Sherae Swinson added 11 points and seven rebounds while senior forward Kara Elofson chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.

Mikaela Gustafsson finished with 12 points in the winning effort while Lauren Bodine and Sophie Weckstrom each added 11 points.

Binghamton heads to New Hampshire next Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.

NOTES: Wood and Swain were the America East Players of the Game  Swain moves into eighth place all time in program history with 639 career rebounds. Against Maine, she passed Jen Gaeta (630 from 1992-94) and Reagan Stevens (632 from 1993-97). In addition, she now has 11 career double-doubles.