Binghamton averaged 3,893 fans for home games at the new Events Center, and the men's basketball team led the entire 10-team America East Conference in average home attendance (2,813).

In a sports season that featured the opening of Binghamton's $33.1 million Events Center, the women's basketball team shone the brightest with a stellar record. The Bearcats, picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams in the America East Conference in the pre-season poll, instead finished second. Led by Conference Coach of the Year Rich Conover, the women posted a pair of six-game win streaks and went 17-10 overall -- a seven-game improvement over last season.Ê Sophomore guard Rachel Laws earned first team all-conference honors after averaging 14.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per contest. Seniors Kate Townley and Leala Wegwerth also received all- conference accolades for the Bearcats, who beat Big East opponent St. John's and highly regarded North Texas and Montana State teams along the way.

Men's basketball

The men's basketball team christened the new Events Center Jan. 31, and a standing-room-only crowd of 4,660 roared as head coach Al Walker's squad topped Hartford, 75-68, in the inaugural game. The Bearcats drew an average of 3,893 fans in their five games in the new facility and led the entire 10-team league in average home attendance. The overall home average of 2,813 represented an increase of more than 1,000 fans per game from a year ago, with the biggest boost coming from a boisterous student contingent.

MBA student Brett Watson (far left) returned to his home state to face national power Kansas. Basketball players Kate Townley (#23), Leala Wegwerth (#35) and Rachel Laws each earned all-conference honors for the high-ranking women's team. Seven-foot junior center Nick Billings (below) works against Hartford in the inaugural Events Center game. Billings finished among the nation's top 10 in blocked shots for the third straight season and was named to the America East All-Conference Team.

The men responded by going 10-8 in conference play and finishing fifth in the conference, higher than pre-season expectations. Seven-foot junior center Nick Billings ranked among the nation's top 10 in blocked shots for the third straight year and was selected to the all-conference squad, along with senior guard Brandon Carter. Showing the team's future promise, freshman point guard Troy Hailey was named to the all-rookie team.

Swimming and diving

The men's swimming and diving team continued its success in the America East Conference, earning runner-up honors one year after winning the championship meet. Led by senior sensation Chris McGuire, the Bearcats also placed ninth at the prestigious ECAC Championship. McGuire, a two-time BU Athlete of the Year honoree, won four conference titles and will graduate holding an incredible 12 school records, including seven individual marks. The women's team was led by senior Yun Qu, who capped her outstanding collegiate career with butterfly wins at both the America East and ECAC Championships.

Wrestling

In the program's final season as a varsity sport, wrestler Josh Ruff made history by becoming the school's first two-time male NCAA Division I qualifier. The 141-pounder went 27-7 and captured a title at the Colonial Athletic Association Championship. At the NCAA meet in St. Louis, Ruff lost 8-6 to the eventual national champion before winning two bouts in the consolation bracket, including one by pin. He raised his three-year record at Binghamton to 74-20 overall, including an outstanding 36-4 record in dual matches.

Track and field

The men's and women's indoor track and field teams finished in the middle of the pack at their respective America East Championships, and senior Andrew Cloud and freshman Rory Quiller captured individual titles in the weight throw and pole vault, respectively. -- John Hartrick