Box Score BLUEFIELD, Va. - It was freezing outside the Dome Gymnasium Saturday evening, but inside the Bluefield College Rams and No. 6 Union Bulldogs battled in a barn burner that saw Union come from behind to nip the Rams 76-71.
Bluefield built an early first half lead, forging ahead by as many as 11 points before Union closed the gap. The Rams carried a 38-34 lead into the intermission.
The Rams built a double-digit lead again in the second half only to see Union storm back and build its own double-digit lead. Bluefield battled, closed the gap to three with less than a minute to play, but could get no closer.
Khadier Fulcher and Stanthony Nelms both had career scoring highs as BC players as each scored 19 points. Fulcher added nine rebound and Nelms had three steals. Cordaris Townes had a team-high 10 rebounds with nine points along with four blocked shots and a pair of assists.
Tyrone Sherman led Union with 23 points and Gerrard Newby followed with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Union and the Rams were picked in the preseason to finish first and second in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Union stands atop the lead standings with a 17-3 record, 8-0 in league play. Bluefield dropped to 8-11 overall and 5-4 in the AAC.
The Rams are back in action Wednesday night at Tennessee Wesleyan in an AAC contest.