Bluefield closed a double-digit second-half deficit to pull out a win in the closing seconds on Saturday evening in the Dome.

The Rams (8-15, 3-13 Mid-South Conference) picked up an overtime victory against Rio Grande (8-17, 3-12 MSC), 80-78.

After a back-and-forth first half, the game was tied 38-38 heading into the halftime break. Byron Carpenter scored 14 points in the frame, and Eric Swift added 13 for Bluefield.

The Rams got the first basket of the second half to take a two-point lead, but a 24-6 run from the Red Storm put Bluefield behind by 16 points with 12 minutes left in the game.

Bluefield hacked away at the deficit. A breakaway dunk from Carpenter brought the crowd to its feet and closed to gap to five at 65-60 with 5:30 remaining.

With 2:10 left, Carpenter banked a shot in from the post to tie the game at 68-68. After a couple of empty possessions, Kearsten Marion drove down the right side of the lane for a lay-up to put the Rams up 70-68 with 70 seconds on the clock.

The Red Storm tied the game on the next possession. With the shot clock off, Bluefield ran down the remaining time for the final shot, but a three-pointer from Marion missed off the front of the rim to send the game into overtime.

Rio Grande scored the first four points in overtime, but Jesse Sunkins hit a three-pointer to give the Rams a 75-74 lead with 2:49 left. Rio Grande tied the game with a free throw on their next possession.

Carpenter was fouled on a made basket and buried the free throw to give the Rams a three-point lead. Jermaine Warmack hit a three-pointer to tie the game back up at 78-78 with 40 seconds left in the extra frame.

On the next Bluefield possession, Devin Page drove to the basket and missed, but Josh Nesbit got the offensive rebound and was fouled on the way up. He made both foul shots to put Bluefield ahead by two with 5.4 seconds left.

Rio Grande's three-point attempt for the win at the buzzer bounced off the front of the rim.

Carpenter led Bluefield with 26 points and eight rebounds. Swift scored 15 points, but fouled out with nine minutes left in regulation.

Nesbit scored 12 points and hauled in seven rebounds. Marion finished with nine points.

Rio Grande was led in scoring and rebounding by Karl Moore with 16 points and 12 boards.

With the win, the Rams ended a nine-game losing streak and a 13-game skid in conference play.

Bluefield returns to the court on Thursday at St. Catharine (12-10, 8-8 MSC). The Rams beat the Patriots at home in November, 84-74. The Patriots are coming off of a 93-90 upset of No. 7 Pikeville on Saturday.