The La Salle Explorers Prevail Over the Binghamton Bearcats 70 – 61 in WNIT Second Round
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 3/23/2026 –
A postseason home game for the La Salle Explorers who made the most of the opportunity defeating the Binghamton Bearcats 70 – 61 in a battle at the John E. Glaser Arena. By virtue of the win La Salle advances to the Super 16 of the WNIT and will play at Army on Wednesday. Aryss Macktoon led the Explorers getting a game-high 22 points and team-best 10 rebounds. Ashleigh Connor added 17 points for the Explorers in Coach Mountain MacGillivray’s 100th coaching win. Kendall Bennett, a Philadelphian and a Germantown Academy graduate, headed Binghamton with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
What matters to the team is the sense of accomplishment. They play together again. And they advance.
“I think getting here means a lot to everyone, especially Coach Mountain knowing he was approaching this mark,” said Macktoon. “I think it is important that we keep going. We’re here, so we might as well get to the championship.”
A Tight Game Tilted To the Explorers
“The Atlantic 10 is a war every night,” said MacGillivray. “We thought we could play with anybody. So when you get to this point, we’re not going to be shaken by the moment. It happens when we compete for every ball, you split on the defensive end, and you’ve got players who can make plays. You’re not going to be nervous at game thirty two. There was not going to be any of that. It wasn’t going to be we got rattled.”
That showed as the Explorers did many of the little things right especially over the last few minutes of the game. La Salle held a 61 – 59 lead. First, the needed to defend. In the ensuing possession the Bearcats looked for the open shot and late in the clock got a cut to the basket by Yanniah Boyd. It was just a little too late and, after a review, it was determined that it was a shot clock violation not a basket. On the offensive end Macktoon took down an offensive rebound and got and put back resulting in a four point lead. Back to the other end La Salle forced another shot clock violation, then got a basket by Amiya Moses. The Explorers forced a turnover and held a 65 – 59 lead late. Bennett scored for the Bearcats. La Salle closed the game put by making 5 of 6 free throws and not allowing another Binghamton point.
“They were able to finish and get offensive rebounds finishing those shots,” said Binghamton Coach Mary Grimes. “We had some of those situations and didn’t get them to go. Those momentum swings did not help us at all.”
Binghamton ends their season with a 20 – 13 record. Leah Middleton scored a team-high 15 points.
Up Next
There a just a handful of teams still playing basketball. La Salle is one of them. They get a game at Army who is coached by former Saint Joseph’s star and assistant Katie Kuester. Someone they know well.
“We know all the plays, that’s nice,” joked MacGillivray. “We’re going to play against two Carroll kids (of which MacGillivray is an alum). There is always a connection somewhere.”
The most meaningful words for the Explorers are they earned another game.
“It means everything, just knowing we get to play alongside each other and go again, and just keep playing basketball in March,” said Connor. “It’s March 23rd and we didn’t really know if we were going to be here at the end of the year. But having this opportunity and knowing we get to step out there again and represent La Salle is something we are really excited for.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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