Vestal, N.Y. - Kara Elofson and Jasbriell Swain each recorded 12 points to lead Binghamton to a 50-44 win over UAlbany in America East Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday evening at the Events Center. With the win, the Bearcats took over sole possession of second place in the America East standings, while the Great Danes dropped to third.

            Binghamton jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead behind Jackie Ward's five points to start the game before UAlbany's Felicia Johnson hit the Great Danes' first basket at 15:48. The Bearcats continued to build their advantage, getting ahead 19-11 on an Orla O'Reilly Jumper with just over eight minutes left to play in the first half. Binghamton took advantage of poor first half shooting by UAlbany, and built up a 12-point lead, 27-15, with 3:06 on the clock as Elofson took an assist from Andrea Holmes for two points. Cassandra Callaway ended the run, hitting a 3-pointer at 2:43, while a layup by Tabitha Makopondo and a trey by Ebone Henry pulled UAlbany to within four, 27-23, at the half.

            After Holmes drained a 3-pointer just 19 seconds into the second half started a rally that put Binghamton up by nine, UAlbany came roaring back, going on a 9-2 run to tie the game a 37-37 after an Adrienne Jones jumper midway through the period. The Great Danes took their first and only lead of the game at 8:34, as Henry took an assist from Johnson to the hole. Swain responded with a 3-pointer that put Binghamton back on top by one, giving the Bearcats a lead they would never relinquish. Swain, who also grabbed five rebounds, converted a layup with 3:27 left to play, but Henry drained one of her two 3-pointers to pull UAlbany back within two, 44-42, with just over three minutes left to play. The teams exchanged free throws, with Jones going 2-for-2 for the Great Danes, but Elofson and Swain hit all four of their shots from the charity stripe in the last ten seconds to seal the victory for the Bearcats.

            Johnson totaled a game-high 13 points, while Henry finished with 11 points and seven rebounds for the Great Danes. Julie Forster grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, allowing the UAlbany to out-rebound the Bearcats by a slim 40-38 margin. Despite recording only 10 turnovers to Binghamton's 17, the Great Danes shot just 27.7 percent (18-of-65) from the floor, including going 4-of-24 from 3-point range. Viive Rebane pulled down nine boards for Binghamton (12-7, AE 5-1), while also handing out five assists and recording two steals.

            UAlbany (11-8, AE 4-2) will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 26, hosting UMBC in the annual Commitment to Education Day at SEFCU Arena at noon.

Binghamton 50, UAlbany 44 (1-20-11 at Vestal, N.Y.)

Albany 44

Binghamton 50