VESTAL, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Binghamton women’s basketball team looks to solidify its standing near the top of the America East Conference when it hosts struggling Massachusetts-Lowell on Saturday. The Bearcats (17-9, 9-4 AE) enter the matchup at the Events Center seeking to rebound from a narrow 63-60 home loss to Bryant on Thursday. That defeat snapped a three-game winning streak. Bella Pucci, a key player for Binghamton, scored 15 points in the loss and has been a consistent offensive force. She averaged 20.3 points over a recent three-game stretch, including a 31-point performance in a win over NJIT on Feb. 7. Binghamton dominated the first meeting this season, routing the River Hawks 80-52 on Jan. 10. Massachusetts-Lowell (8-18, 4-9) arrives with a bit of momentum after a 57-54 road victory at New Hampshire on Thursday. Paris Gilmore led the way with 24 points in 36 minutes. The River Hawks have struggled for consistency, however, alternating wins and losses over their last five games and averaging just 50.6 points per contest during that span. The Bearcats hold a significant advantage in the conference standings and boast a much more potent offense, averaging nearly 10 points more per game than Lowell this season. Binghamton’s defense, which allows a conference-best 56.8 points per game in league play, will aim to contain Gilmore and force Lowell into a half-court game. A win for Binghamton would keep pressure on the league leaders ahead of road trips to New Hampshire and Maine next week. Massachusetts-Lowell, sitting near the bottom of the conference, needs an upset to build on its latest win and improve its seeding for the upcoming America East tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.