VESTAL, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Bella Pucci scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, powering Binghamton (7-5) to a 67-40 victory over Molloy (6-5) in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Friday evening at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center. The game marked the second of three home contests for the Bearcats this week.
Pucci shot 6-for-8 from the field and was 2-for-4 from three-point range. She also sank all three of her free throw shots. Pucci has now reached double figures in rebounding two straight games as well as a team-best three times so far this season.
Sophomore guard Yanniah Boyd netted 15 points and secured eight rebounds. At the free throw line, she made seven of her nine attempts. This marks the seventh straight game that Boyd has reached double figures in scoring.
It was a stellar defensive effort in the second half that enabled the Bearcats to pull away from the Lions. They were up 32-31 at the break but allowed only nine second-half points.
In the fourth period alone, Binghamton held Molloy to just a single point from the free throw line. It marked the fewest points the Bearcats have allowed in a period since the NCAA switched to a four-quarter format prior to the 2015-16 season.
Up 46-39 at the end of the third period, Binghamton reeled off 18 straight points during a stretch of 6:47. Six different Bearcat players scored during that span. Over the final 10 minutes of play, Binghamton outscored Molloy 21-1.
“I challenged the team to put more pressure on them and step it up defensively,” head coach Mary Grimes said. “We were able to adjust a lot better in the second half and held them to either one shot or no shots several times.”
Junior forward Camryn Fauria finished with 10 rebounds to go along with six points, two blocks and an assist. Redshirt junior guard Jadyn Weltz finished with eight points, dished out four assists, recorded a steal and grabbed three rebounds.
Sophomore forward Kendall Bennett, meanwhile, tied her career high with three blocks. She also added five points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist.
As a team, the Bearcats blocked a season-best six shots.
Molloy was led by Samatha Muller and Colleen McCullagh – both of whom finished with 12 points.
Binghamton hosts SUNY Geneseo at 5 p.m. on Monday.
NOTES: Pucci’s 13 rebounds tied her career high.
