FINAL SCORE: Binghamton 76, Vermont 61
VESTAL, N.Y. – Sydney Smith registered a season-high 24 points but Vermont was unable to compensate for four double-figure Binghamton scorers as the Catamounts fell 76-61 on Monday night at Dr. Bai Lee Court at the Events Center.
 
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Hanna Crymble, the reigning America East Rookie of the Week, turned in an 18-point night on 7-of-12 shooting as well as a 3-for-3 effort from the free throw line. She recorded a game-high nine rebounds, while Hayley Robertson dished out four assists to lead Vermont.
 
As the game began it was clear that both teams had buckled their seatbelts for a closely-contested matchup, as neither side maintained a lead of more than four through the first 10 minutes. The teams traded baskets as the opening quarter progressed and was marked in part by an 8-4 edge in the paint for UVM.
 
The second quarter followed a somewhat similar path and although the Green and Gold trailed for only 32 seconds, the squad was unable to swell its advantage above five. Katie Lavelle fed Crymble for a trey with just over three minutes on the clock, but from there the Bearcats' Imani Watkins and Alyssa James closed in on UVM and trimmed the score to 30-29, in favor of the visitors, heading into the locker room.   
 
Smith closed the first half leading all scorers with 14 points as well as six boards, guiding the Catamounts to a 41.4 percent shooting effort (12-for-29).
 
UVM did string together a 6-0 run just after the break on support from Smith and Crymble, but the Bearcats countered with the game's next nine points en route to a 41-36 lead. The sides once again traded baskets and the Catamounts clawed their way back within three multiple times, but would get no closer despite a valiant effort.
 
The first three quarters were witness to a total of five ties along with 13 lead changes, eight changes of which occurred in the first period.
 
Vermont stayed within reach of the Bearcats into the final frame but Watkins racked up 12 points and helped move her team's lead to as much as 15, sealing the win.
 
Binghamton committed only seven turnovers en route to the victory. On the flipside, the Bearcats created 25 points off of Vermont's turnovers throughout the evening. Watkins finished the night totaling 25 points.

Monday's result drops the Catamounts to 7-16 on the season and 4-7 in America East play, while Binghamton is now an even 12-12 overall and 7-4 against conference foes.
 
The Catamounts wrap up their two-game road swing on Thursday (Feb. 9) with a 7 p.m. tilt at New Hampshire.