Binghamton Bearcats Look to Bounce Back Against Mercyhurst Lakers in Women’s NCAA Basketball

ERIE, Pa. (Interstat) — The Binghamton Bearcats visit the Mercyhurst Lakers in a non-conference women’s basketball matchup on Thursday, March 19, 2026, with both teams looking to build momentum ahead of postseason play.

Binghamton (19-12) enters having lost three of its last four, including a 56-60 defeat at Maine on March 9. The Bearcats have struggled offensively at times during that stretch, failing to reach 50 points in two of those losses. They will rely on standout guard Bella Pucci to ignite the scoring. Pucci is coming off a 24-point performance in the loss to Maine and has averaged 18.3 points over her last six games, including a 16-point, 10-rebound triple-double in a win over UMass Lowell on Feb. 21.

Mercyhurst (15-16) has been inconsistent but carries a potent offensive threat in guard Jenna Van Schaik. The Lakers are 5-2 in their last seven games, with Van Schaik averaging 21.7 points during that span. She scored a season-high 29 points in a win at Wagner on Feb. 19 and poured in 28 in a loss to Long Island on March 12. Her ability to score in volume and facilitate—she has recorded at least four assists in three of the last seven games—will be central to the Lakers’ attack.

The game presents a contrast in recent trajectories. Binghamton seeks to rediscover its form from a mid-February three-game win streak, while Mercyhurst aims to prove its recent winning record is a true indicator of its capability. The Bearcats hold the overall edge in record, but the Lakers’ home court and high-scoring guard play make them a dangerous opponent.

Defensively, Binghamton will need to contain Van Schaik beyond the arc and find secondary scoring behind Pucci. For Mercyhurst, slowing Pucci’s penetration and capitalizing on Binghamton’s recent offensive droughts will be key. The matchup between the two star guards, Pucci and Van Schaik, could dictate the tempo and outcome.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EDT at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.