VESTAL, N.Y. (Interstat) — Bella Pucci scored 31 points and Kendall Bennett added a double-double as Binghamton rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat NJIT 72-67 in an America East Conference women’s basketball game on Saturday.

A crowd of 1,921 at the Binghamton University Events Center saw the Bearcats, who entered as heavy favorites, overcome a sluggish first half with a dominant third quarter to sweep the season series and improve to 17-6 overall. NJIT fell to 14-10.

The most important part of the game was Binghamton’s decisive third-quarter surge, which completely flipped the contest’s momentum. After trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Bearcats outscored the Highlanders 25-13 in the period, transforming a 38-28 deficit into a 53-51 lead entering the final frame.

Pucci, a 5-foot-9 guard from Rochester, New York, was the catalyst for the comeback. She scored 11 of her game-high 31 points in the third quarter, including a personal 8-0 run that gave Binghamton its first lead since the opening minutes. Her 3-pointer with 1:55 left in the quarter put the Bearcats ahead 49-46, and she followed a steal with a layup 23 seconds later to extend the lead to five. Pucci also contributed five rebounds and three assists while playing 37 minutes.

Bennett, a 6-2 forward from Philadelphia, provided a massive interior presence with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Her work on the offensive glass, where she grabbed seven of Binghamton’s 13 offensive rebounds, created crucial second-chance opportunities. Bennett also went 8 for 10 from the free-throw line as part of a decisive disparity at the stripe; Binghamton made 23 of 29 free throws compared to NJIT’s 14 of 22.

The game began in stark contrast to its finish. NJIT, led by guard Alejandra Zuniga’s 19 points and forward Ava Locklear’s 13-point, 10-rebound double-double, controlled the first half. The Highlanders shot efficiently inside, scoring 30 paint points, and used an 11-0 run in the second quarter to build their largest lead at 38-24 after a Marissa Gingrich 3-pointer. Binghamton managed only eight points in the second quarter and shot 1 for 9 from the field during the Highlanders’ key run.

Binghamton’s halftime adjustment was evident immediately after the break. The Bearcats tightened their defense, forcing NJIT into tougher shots and capitalizing on turnovers. They opened the third quarter on a 14-4 run to tie the game at 42, fueled by Pucci’s scoring and Bennett’s work inside. The period was characterized by Binghamton’s increased pace and efficiency, as they shot 50% from the field while holding NJIT to 5-of-14 shooting.

The fourth quarter was a tense back-and-forth affair with five lead changes. After a Zuniga 3-pointer brought NJIT within 65-64 with 3:10 remaining, Binghamton secured the victory at the free-throw line. The Bearcats scored seven of their final nine points from the stripe, including two clutch free throws from Kaia Goode with 14 seconds left to push the lead to 70-67. NJIT’s final attempts from 3-point range missed their mark.

Beyond the scoring, Binghamton’s efficiency proved decisive. Despite both teams taking 55 field goal attempts, the Bearcats posted an offensive rating of 107.8 points per 100 possessions, significantly better than NJIT’s 96.5. Binghamton also won the turnover battle, committing 11 to NJIT’s 14, and converted those into 18 points.

For NJIT, Zuniga, from Madrid, Spain, played all 40 minutes. Gingrich added nine points and four assists, and Olivia Kulyk scored nine points. The Highlanders’ bench was outscored 15-4.

The victory solidifies Binghamton’s position near the top of the America East standings, while NJIT sees a two-game winning streak snapped. Both teams continue conference play on Thursday, with Binghamton traveling to face Vermont and NJIT hosting New Hampshire.