BOSTON – Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Binghamton women’s basketball was selected first in the 2026-27 America East Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll, as announced by the league on Monday. The Bearcats also had two players selected to the Preseason All-Conference team.
Binghamton went 20-13 last season and tied for third in the #AEHoops standings with a 10-6 mark. The Bearcats reached the conference semifinals and advanced to the second round of the WNIT. They received six first place votes and finished with 60 total points after bringing back over 65% of their scoring from last year, including a pair of preseason all-conference selections in Bella Pucci and Kendall Bennett.
UMBC was selected second in the preseason poll with 57 total points and a pair of first place votes as the Retrievers seek to reach their first conference championship game since 2012. Last year UMBC went 17-15 overall but went 10-6 in conference play and advanced to the second round of the WNIT by going 6-3 over their final nine games of the year. Sophomore Heidi Williams was selected to the Preseason All-Conference team.
Two-time defending champion Vermont took home the final first place vote and had 48 points to finish third in the poll. The Catamounts lost their top three scorers from last season but do return preseason all-conference selection Malia Lenz. Maine was selected fourth with 41 points, while Bryant was close behind in fifth with 40 points.
2026-27 Preseason Poll
| 1. Binghamton |
60 (6) |
| 2. UMBC |
57 (2) |
| 3. Vermont |
48 (1) |
| 4. Maine |
41 |
| 5. Bryant |
40 |
| 6. NJIT |
29 |
| 7. UAlbany |
25 |
| 8. New Hampshire |
16 |
| 9. UMass Lowell |
8 |
This year’s Preseason All-Conference team features four players who previously earned All-Conference recognition, along with two returning starters who made a significant impact on their team’s success last year.
Kendall Bennett, Binghamton – Sr., Forward
- Averaged 14.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game while leading the league in field goal percentage at 61.0% shooting.
- Earned second-team all-conference honors in 2025-26 after starting in all 33 games.
- Second in the conference and tied for 14th nationally with 17 double-doubles.
Malia Lenz, Vermont – Sr., Guard
- Started all 35 games last year, averaging 7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game with 35 threes.
- Ranked second in the conference in defensive win shares (2.9) while helping to anchor the No. 3 scoring defense in the country (52.2 ppg).
- Posted 13 points and 14 rebounds in the 2025-26 conference championship, helping Vermont beat Maine 61-43.
Mia Mancini, Bryant – Sr., Guard
- Appeared in 30 games, averaging 12.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
- Ranked 4th in the conference in threes (59) and fifth in assists per game (3.9).
- Three-time all-conference selection, including second-team honors in 2024-25.
Bella Pucci, Binghamton – Sr., Guard
- Top returning scorer in the league after averaging 15.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Shot a league-best 38.8% from three
- In conference play, averaged 16.7 points and 2.6 threes per game while shooting 47.7% from beyond the arc.
- Earned second-team all-conference honors while making 4+ threes six times during the season.
Nia Scott, Bryant – Sr., Forward
- Appeared in 30 games, averaging 11.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 53.0 percent from the floor.
- Ranked third in the conference with 11 double-doubles and field goal percentage (.530).
- Named third-team team all-conference in 2025-26.
Heidi Williams, UMBC – So., Guard
- Appeared in all 32 games, averaging 9.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 assists per game.
- In conference play averaged 11.1 points 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while leading UMBC to a 10-6 league record.
- Named to the All-Rookie Team and earned Rookie of the Week honors a league-best six times.
The #AEHoops regular season begins on November 2 with eight women’s programs competing on opening night, highlighted by UAlbany battling Northeastern and Binghamton playing at Monmouth. On Nov. 5, eight teams face off in the inaugural AE-Metro Challenge and nine compete again on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Conference action kicks off on Thursday, Dec. 31 with a full slate of women’s basketball action, including defending champion Vermont traveling to play Maine in a championship rematch, while Binghamton hosts UMBC. Teams will via for home advantage in the 2026 #AEPlayoffs, where once again all games will be played at the higher seed.
The women wrap up their regular season on Saturday, Feb. 27, with #AEPlayoffs Quarterfinal action set for Thursday, March 4. The Semifinals will take place on Monday, March 8, with the #AEPlayoffs Championship set for Friday, March 12 at 5 p.m. at the highest remaining seed.
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