Bearcats Claw Their Way to Victory: A Gritty Saturday Night Showdown

It was a chilly Saturday night in Binghamton, and honestly, if you were looking for a blowout, well, you weren't going to find it here. The Bearcats, hosting Rochester Institute of Technology, pulled off a hard-fought 66-56 victory. But let me tell you, this one felt a lot tighter than the final score might suggest; a real nail-biter at times, you could say, especially given their previous, much more decisive win against the very same RIT squad.

Symir Perry, a consistent force, led the charge for Binghamton, tallying a commendable 15 points. And Dan Fielder, not to be outdone, chipped in with 13 of his own, making crucial plays when the Bearcats needed them most. Miles Coleman also made his presence felt, adding 11 points to the winning effort, creating a solid trio that, in truth, often seemed to be the backbone of Binghamton's offense.

On the other side of the court, Will Amica was a standout for the Tigers. He matched Perry's game-high 15 points, trying valiantly to keep RIT in contention. The Tigers, you see, weren't just going to roll over; they fought hard, making Binghamton work for every single basket, every single defensive stop.

The game’s pivotal moment, for sure, arrived late in the second half. With just under two minutes left on the clock—one minute and forty-four seconds, to be precise—Fielder, with nerves of steel, sank a critical 3-pointer. That shot, a real momentum shifter, stretched Binghamton’s lead to 60-54. It was the kind of basket that takes the wind right out of an opponent’s sails, providing just enough breathing room for the home team to close it out.

Crucially, for Binghamton, their composure from the charity stripe proved to be an absolute lifesaver. Sinking 18 of 24 free throws, that's a cool 75% for the mathematically inclined among us, they truly capitalized on opportunities to add points when the clock was stopped. RIT, on the other hand, just couldn't quite match that efficiency, converting 9 of 14 attempts – a respectable 64%, yes, but in a game this tight, every single point, every single free throw, well, it simply counts. This focus from the line was, honestly, a key differentiator. The Bearcats are slowly, steadily, building a season, now sitting at 4-7, while RIT moves to 2-7. And yes, for those keeping score, this was Binghamton’s second victory over RIT this season, a small but important win in their ongoing journey.