For Immediate Release: October 28, 2009
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Binghamton women's basketball picked third in America East Preseason Poll

VESTAL, N.Y.-- The America East has released its preseason women's basketball poll and all-conference squads and Binghamton has been picked to finish third this season. It marks the highest preseason prediction for the Bearcats since the program joined the conference prior to the 2001-02 campaign.

Defending champion Vermont was a narrow pick over Hartford to finish first. New Hampshire and Boston University tied for fourth, followed by UMBC, Maine, Stony Brook and Albany. Named to the preseason all-conference squad was Courtnay Pilypaitis and May Kotsopoulous of Vermont, Diana Delva and Erika Beverly of Hartford and Carlee Cassidy of UMBC.

Binghamton was picked to place fourth in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 preseason poll. The Bearcats highest actual finishes in the America East have been second in 2004 and third in 2002.

This year, Binghamton opens up its season against St. Bonaventure at the Events Center on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

The return four starters and 10 letterwinners from last season's squad which went 14-17 but advanced to the America East semifinals for the third time in four years. Current sophomore point guard Andrea Holmes was named the 2009 America East Rookie of the Year and also earned third-time all-conference honors. Current sophomore forward Viive Rebane joined Holmes on the America East All-Rookie Team last year.

Individual game tickets will go on sale online and at the Events Center Box Office on Monday, Nov 2. Tickets can be purchased through the Binghamton Athletic Website (www.bubearcats.com) or by calling the Events Center Box Office at (607) 777-6004.