VESTAL, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a tense, defensive struggle that came down to the final possession, the Bryant Bulldogs exacted a measure of revenge, edging the Binghamton Bearcats 63-60 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at the Binghamton University Events Center.

The victory avenged a two-point overtime loss to Binghamton just three weeks prior and tightened the America East Conference standings as the regular season enters its final stretch. In a game where offensive rhythm was often scarce, Bryant’s Nia Scott proved unstoppable, pouring in a game-high 24 points to lead all scorers and propel the Bulldogs to their 18th win of the season.

The contest was a tale of contrasting halves and pivotal individual efforts. The first quarter ended in an 18-18 deadlock, but Binghamton seized momentum before the break. Behind the scoring of Bella Pucci and Meghan Casey, who each finished with 15 points, the Bearcats used a 20-point second quarter to take a 38-34 lead into halftime. Bryant’s offense, outside of Scott’s consistent production, sputtered at times, hampered by Binghamton’s interior defense led by Kendall Bennett, who recorded two blocks and 10 points.

The third quarter, however, became the turning point. Bryant’s defense stiffened dramatically, holding the Bearcats to just 11 points in the period. Simultaneously, Scott took over. The 6-foot-1 forward from Medford Lakes, New Jersey, was relentless attacking the basket, scoring repeatedly in the paint and drawing fouls. Her personal surge, combined with lockdown team defense, allowed Bryant to not only erase the deficit but build a 52-49 lead heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was a possession-by-possession grind. Binghamton’s Yanniah Boyd, who dished out four assists, hit a layup to tie the game at 57 with just over four minutes to play. Leah Middleton then gave the Bearcats their last lead, 60-57, on a three-pointer with 4:17 remaining.

Bryant responded with the game’s decisive sequence. Following a missed drive, Scott secured an offensive rebound and kicked it out to a waiting Mimi Rubino. The guard from Pequannock, New Jersey, drained a critical three-pointer from the wing, knotting the score at 60 with 3:53 on the clock. From that moment, neither team would score a field goal.

Both sides were plagued by empty offensive trips and turnovers in the closing minutes. Binghamton committed a shot clock violation with 1:05 left, and Bryant gave the ball back on a traveling violation. With 33 seconds remaining and the score still tied, Binghamton’s Kendall Bennett was called for an offensive foul, handing possession back to the Bulldogs.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Bryant worked the ball to Mia Mancini, who was fouled by Meghan Casey with just six seconds left. The sophomore guard from Mansfield, Massachusetts, who finished with 16 points, calmly sank both free throws under intense pressure to put Bryant ahead 62-60.

Binghamton had one final chance. After a timeout, the Bearcats advanced the ball and got a look for Pucci, but her three-point attempt from the top of the key rimmed out as time expired. Maranda Nyborg secured the defensive rebound for Bryant and was fouled, adding one more free throw for the final margin.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably the final six seconds, encapsulated by Mancini’s clutch free throws and the subsequent defensive stand. After Rubino’s game-tying three, the contest devolved into a series of nerve-wracking stops and miscues. Mancini, who played 37 minutes, stepped to the line in a hostile environment with the outcome hanging in the balance and delivered two perfect shots. The Bulldogs then forced Binghamton into a contested, last-second heave to seal a critical road victory.

Beyond Scott’s dominance and Mancini’s late poise, Bryant received key contributions from Nyborg, who added 10 points, and Rubino, whose eight points included the crucial triple. Binghamton’ Bennett was a force inside with her 10 points, two blocks, and numerous rebounds, while Carletta Bennett chipped in nine points and two blocks off the bench.

The win improves Bryant to 18-9 overall and marks a significant bounce-back after a loss to Vermont last Saturday. Binghamton, which had been projected as a solid favorite by advanced metrics, sees its four-game winning streak snapped and falls to 17-9. An announced crowd of 1,146 watched the defensive battle.

The Bulldogs will look to build on this momentum when they host Maryland-Baltimore County next Thursday. Binghamton must regroup quickly, as they welcome Massachusetts-Lowell to the Events Center on Saturday.