BLUEFIELD – Women's basketball opened its home season Saturday afternoon at the Dome and evened its record at 1-1 with a 69-55 Appalachian Athletic Conference victory over Truett McConnell University.
The Rams took the opening tip and rolled to a 7-1 lead thanks to a bucket by Cierra Cook, a three by Nialla Curtis, and another Curtis basket. Bluefield College led 11-7 after one quarter of action.
Truett McConnell tied the game at 11 with 8:50 to play in the second, and the Bears took the lead, 15-14 with five-and-a-half minutes remaining in the half. BC controlled the rest of the half and back-to-back baskets by Emily Breeding in the final minute gave the Rams a nine-point lead. Truett hit a pair of free throws with just over a second left in the half to make it 31-24 at the break.
Curtis and Cook each had seven points and four rebounds in the opening half. Morgan Wylie tallied six points in the first two quarters.
The Rams began to pull away in the third quarter. Tianna Crockett hit a bucket midway through the quarter that gave BC an 11-point advantage. The Rams pressed on and led by 15, 50-35 headed into the final 10 minutes.
BC led by 15 mid-way through the fourth quarter but Truett cut it to eight with three minutes remaining in the game. Breeding's trey with 90 seconds left pushed the BC lead back to double-digits at 66-55.
Cook topped the Bluefield scoring column with 17 points. She also had a team-high eight assists six rebounds and a pair of steals. Breeding finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two steals. Curtis pulled down six boards, while Kylie Meadows, Wylie, and Crockett each had five rebounds.
Head Coach Corey Mullins talked of his team following the game.
"I think we played a really dynamic offensive team in Truett McConnell. So to hold them to 55 points in a game was impressive. They've got a couple of players who have really shot well, so I was proud of our defensive effort, for holding it down for us," Mullins said.
"Offensively we still have yet to find our rhythm and I look forward to seeing how this team develops and grows together. We will definitely take a win in game two, and I'm excited for our girls, starting conference play with a win."
Mullins also spoke of the play of freshman Emily Breeding.
"We are really excited about Emily. She's a player that comes every day with energy, great effort, and heart. We are excited for her, to see her develop over the course of the next four years. She has been huge for us in two games now, hitting the threes late in the game and giving us an opportunity to extend our lead, or even cut the lead the other night at West Virginia Tech," Mullins said.
"I'm proud for her, happy for her. She is playing around some experienced guards and an experienced team which is helping her find her rhythm. I'm excited to see how she develops over time with our program."
The Rams host Brenau University, Tuesday evening at 5:30.