VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton started the second half with a 27-7 run and used a stifling defense to overwhelm visiting New Hampshire 65-44 in an America East men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. 

The Bearcats (2-12, 2-9 America East) received a game-high 16 points from sophomore forward George Tinsley and held UNH (7-7, 6-5 AE) 24 points under its season scoring average. The 44 points were the lowest of any BU opponent in seven years, since Binghamton beat the same Wildcats 67-38 on Jan. 9, 2014.

"It was certainly nice to get back on the winning side," head coach Tommy Dempsey said. "The game was all about defense ... that's where our focus has been. The combination of scheme, which we changed and putting the best league's defender back in the middle of our defense in Thomas (Bruce), made all the difference today. When you realize you have the other team out of rhythm, it fuels your energy. We came in with that mindset after having a week off, getting Thomas back and finding out it's going to be a 10-team conference tournament. That gave us energy and the performance was good." 

Tinsley scored BU's first eight points and his 12 points fueled a 35-29 halftime edge for the Bearcats. The first half featured five ties and five lead changes before BU took the lead for good with just over five minutes remaining. Binghamton closed the half with a 19-11 run with points from five different players, including five apiece from sophomores Dan Petcash and Tyler Bertram. 

In the second half, BU made 4-of-7 to start and four minutes in, stretched its lead to 13, 45-32, and never looked back. The Wildcats made just 5-of-29 in the half (17%) and their 15 second-half points were the fewest of any Bearcat opponent since the aforementioned game in 2014. 

Tinsley shot 7-of-11 to match his best scoring output of the season. Sophomore guard Brenton Mills had 10 points and senior center Thomas Bruce added nine points, six rebounds and four blocks in 21 minutes. Bertram matched his season high with six assists and Petcash chipped in a team-high eight rebounds and six points.

The Bearcats were plus 14 on the glass against the conference leader in rebounds. 

The teams close out the weekend series at 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

Courtesy: Binghamton University Athletics