While the bracket was completely bare headed into Wednesday's action, we can now definitively slot five teams into the bracket as their seeds have been determined.
Hartford locked itself into the three seed by virtue of its 49-42 nail-biting win at Stony Brook and UMBC's 61-56 loss at Boston U. The Seawolves went on a late 7-0 run to come within 44-42 with 35 seconds remaining but the Hawks hit five free throws down the stretch to seal their eighth straight victory. Three of those foul shots came from junior Alex Hall who finished with a game-high 19 points.
In Boston, UMBC also made a second-half comeback attempt before falling for their second time this season to the Terriers. Boston U. led 33-21 at halftime, but the Retrievers outscored the hosts 35-28 in the second stanza. The reigning Rookie of the Week Lauren Chase shot 7-of-10 for 14 points.
Boston U. sophomore Rashidat Agboola's career-best 24 points and 11 rebounds led the way for the Terriers in the victory. Junior guard Mo Moran dished out 10 assists to go along with her nine points. The win sets up a must-win situation for the Terriers on Saturday against Hartford in the regular-season finale. With a win, Boston U. would win the regular-season championship and earn the number one seed. A loss would drop the Terriers down to the number two seed, after tying with Albany and losing the third tiebreaker, conference road record.
Albany left no doubt that the team is hungry for what would be the program's first-ever America East Regular Season Championship. The Great Danes routed Binghamton 69-37 on senior night, giving Albany its first 20-win season during its Division I era. Albany freshman Megan Craig scored 19 points and blocked two shots in 19 minutes off the bench. The Great Danes did not allow a Bearcat player to score in double-figures. Binghamton will be seeded sixth for the tournament.
The Wildcats moved into a tie with the Retrievers for fourth place with a 65-53 win over visiting Maine, guaranteeing them a seed no lower than fifth. Vermont, who was idle last night with a bye, clinched the seven seed by virtue of Maine's loss at New Hampshire. UNH fifth-year senior Denise Beliveau finished with game highs of 16 points and seven rebounds on Senior Night.
Maine and Stony Brook will be the tournament's eighth and ninth seeds, respectively, after falling in Wednesday night's contests.
All remaining four regular-season games are scheduled for Saturday. The official 2012 America East Women's Basketball bracket will be announced after all play is complete.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
*at Albany 69, Binghamton 37 l Boxscore l
*Hartford 49, at Stony Brook 42 l Boxscore l
*at New Hampshire 65, Maine 53 l Boxscore l
*at Boston U. 61, UMBC 56 l Boxscore l