BLUFEFIELD - For the first time since the 2013-14 season the men's basketball Battle of the Bluefields went to the Bluefield State College Big Blues.
Playing on its home court, BSC opened a quick 6-0 lead, but back-to-back threes by Jermiah Jenkins and Brandon Shields knotted the game at six and a three by Niquan Cousins put the Rams on top 9-8. The fast paced game saw the teams exchange the leads and State moved ahead only to see a Cousins rim-rocking dunk tie the game at 23. Seconds later Cousins stepped to the free throw line after being fouled on a three attempt and sink all three shots to put the Rams on top 26-23.
The contest remained close and a Shields trey at the 6:20 mark gave the Rams their biggest lead of the first half at 34-30.
The final two minutes of the opening half saw BSC take a five point lead and that was the Big Blues' advantage at the half, 50-45.
State built on its lead in the second half, going up by nine, but midway through the final 20 minutes BC was able to close to within four at 69-65. The Rams got closer when Jenkins sank two free throws with 7:37 to play to make it 71-68. Over the next two minutes however, State pushed its lead as high as 11 points and the Rams could not close the gap.
Cousins finished the night with a double-double, 26 points and 12 rebounds. Jenkins added 18 points with five assists and D'Monte Evans added 12 points.