In women's Mid-South Conference action, Cumberlands (Ky.) controlled the tempo and held Bluefield 28 points below its season average en route to a 56-43 victory, Thursday evening at the Dome Gymnasium.

The Patriots pounded the ball inside, scoring 28 points in the paint compared to just 18 from the Rams. Cumberlands also converted 23 Bluefield turnovers – the Rams' highest total in a month – into 20 points to earn the victory.

Bluefield drops to 15-12 on the season and 8-11 in MSC contests, dropping just their third game at home this season. Cumberlands moves to 18-10, 11-8 MSC.

The Rams were led by Ashley White with 10 points, as the senior guard was held six points under her season average. Monique Robson and Teqa McNeal tossed in eight apiece. Janee Simmons led the Rams' rebounding efforts with six.

Dace Bicane paced Cumberlands with 19 points, followed by 16 from Jackie Alexander. Bicane and Jill Herman pulled down nine rebounds apiece.

Alexander started the Patriots on the right foot, draining the team's opening three-point attempt. The Rams knotted the game four times in the opening half of play, but the visitors always answered to maintain control of the contest.

Cumberland outscored the Rams by a 6-2 clip over the final minutes of the opening half, taking a 29-23 advantage into the final 20 minutes.

Despite a quick basket by White to cut the deficit to four after the break, Cumberlands scored the next five points to open up a nine-point edge, 34-25.

A 9-0 run by the Patriots then put the Rams on their heels. In a matter of four minutes, the Patriots grabbed their largest lead of 18 points, 45-27, as a Bicane free throw capped the run at the 10:51 mark.

The Rams pulled within 13 on multiple occasions, but could not gain enough momentum to make a charge.

The Rams conclude their home regular-season schedule on Saturday by honoring the programs seniors and hosting No. 6 Cumberland (Tenn.) at 2 p.m.