VESTAL, N.Y. (Interstat) — A pivotal America East Conference women’s basketball clash is set for Saturday when the Binghamton Bearcats host the NJIT Highlanders at the Events Center.

Binghamton (16-6, 8-3 America East) enters with firm hold on second place in the conference, riding a three-game winning streak. The Bearcats are coming off a 73-59 victory over Maryland-Baltimore County on Thursday, led by standout guard Bella Pucci’s 23 points and five assists. Pucci has averaged 16.6 points over her last seven games, providing consistent scoring punch for a defensively stout Binghamton squad.

NJIT (14-9, 6-5) looks to continue its momentum after snapping a three-game skid with a 69-60 road win at Massachusetts-Lowell. The Highlanders’ offense runs through dynamic guard Alejandra Zuniga, who scored 20 points in that victory. Zuniga has been on a tear, posting four games of 20 or more points since Jan. 10, including a 27-point effort in a narrow loss to Vermont.

This matchup is a rematch of a Jan. 3 thriller, which Binghamton won 75-71 in Newark. The Bearcats have won five of their last six games, while NJIT has struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over its past seven contests.

A key battle will be on the perimeter between Pucci and Zuniga, two of the conference’s top offensive engines. Binghamton will rely on its home-court advantage, where it is 9-2 this season, to solidify its conference standing. NJIT, currently in the middle of the America East table, seeks a crucial road upset to improve its seeding for the upcoming conference tournament.

Following this game, Binghamton travels to face Vermont on Thursday, while NJIT hosts New Hampshire.