BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield College Rams women's basketball team are regional champions. The Rams defeated the Alice Lloyd Eagles 56-33, Monday night at the Dome Gymnasium to capture the National Christian College Athletic Association Mid-East championship. With the win the Rams advance to the NCCAA National Tournament, March 16-19 at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake, Ind.

The Rams took it to the Eagles from the opening tip, never trailing in the contest. A strong Bluefield defense held the visitors to eight points in the first quarter and only seven in the second period as the Rams led 24-15 at halftime. Bluefield held ALC to 22 percent shooting in the first half.

BC's staunch defense remained effective into the third quarter as Alice Lloyd scored only five points in the third 10-minute session. The fourth period saw Bluefield out-score Alice Lloyd 15-13 to gain the 56-33 win.

Deneysha Goods led Bluefield in scoring with 10 points. Monique Robson added nine and Whitney Brown contributed eight. Kierra Bell-Linnear had a team-high seven rebounds.

Taylor Arthur had a game-high 13 to lead Alice Lloyd who finished their season with a 12-20 record.

Bluefield got 31 of its 56 points off the bench and reached the 20-win plateau for the season. The Rams are now 20-11.

The trip is the first to the NCCAA National Tournament by a women's team at Bluefield College since the 2011-12 season.