Richards' 35 sparks UAlbany women

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bob Weiner

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Shereesha Richards can take it, and she can dish it out, as well.

The most dominating women’s basketball player in the America East Conference gets banged around by double- and triple-teams every game, and it was no different in Wednesday’s matinee against Binghamton before a couple of thousand youngsters on Commitment to Education Day.

But after being knocked to the floor several times by the Bearcats, Richards, a 6-foot-1 junior, posted another brilliant performance, pouring in 35 points to pace the Great Danes to a 64-47 win at SEFCU Arena.

“I take things personally if people hurt my teammates or me. I will shove it down your throat if I have to,” she said. “We are a tough team. I don’t mind getting on the floor. I like being aggressive. I’m not going to back down to anybody.”

Richards’ ability to be physical when called upon fits into the Great Danes’ persona, as three-time defending champion UAlbany is a marked team every night.

“Our strategy is always to stop Shereesha Richards,” said Binghamton head coach Linda Cimino. “But it’s impossible. She’s a great player, and she’s unstoppable.”

UAlbany head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson agreed.

“She’s just plain good,” the coach said. “She is impossible to guard. She is so explosive.”

The first-place Great Danes (11-1, 18-7) were outstanding in the first half, limiting the Bearcats to just 15 points and 23.9 percent shooting. Binghamton found the range in the second half and connected for six three-pointers, but UAlbany was simply too tough to overcome.

“We did a great job defensively in the first half. That’s what matters most to me,” said Abrahamson-Henderson. “It was a lot of fun playing in front of about 2,000 people. It was fun for them, and it was fun for us.”

Tiana-Jo Carter added 12 points, and Imani Tate chipped in with 12 rebounds for the Great Danes.

BINGHAMTON (53)

Swinson 5-11 6-8 16, Ross 1-1 0-0 2, Sina 4-11 5-6 16, Watkins 1-8 0-0 2, Albrecht 6-11 2-2 17, Goldstein 0-0 0-0 0, Baker 0-2 0-1 0, Surdokaite 0-1 0-0 0, Libby 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-45 13-17 53.

UALBANY (75)

Richards 14-21 7-10 35, Carter 6-11 0-0 12, Rosario 0-2 4-4 4, Royals 2-9 4-6 8, Sauners 2-5 0-0 4, Coughlin 0-3 0-0 0, Tate 3-6 0-0 6, Aiyalogbe 2-2 0-0 4, Fequiere 1-4 0-0 2, Edwards 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 30-66 15-20 75.

Halftime: UAlbany, 34-15. Three-point goals: Binghamton 6-14 (Sina 3-9, Albrecht 3-4, Surdokaite 0-1); UAlbany 0-6 (Rosario 0-1, Royals 0-2, Coughlin 0-3). Rebounds: Binghamton 23 (Swinson 6), UAlbany 44 (Tate 12). Assists: Binghamton 9 (Watkins 3, Albrecht 3); UAlbany 19 (Saunders 7). Total fouls: Binghamton 20, UAlbany 21. Fouled out: Swinson, Edwards. Officials: Joe Barrise, Fator, Cissoko-Stephens, Corey Pothier. Attendance: 1,925.