Bluefield, VA – The Bluefield University Rams kicked off the 2024-25 season in their home opener, facing off against Ohio Christian University (OCU) at the Dome Gymnasium. Despite a valiant effort, the Rams fell 75-52 in a tough, hard-fought contest, marking Head Coach Jake Wright's first game at the helm of the team — and his first home game as head coach. This season also marks a special moment for Coach Wright, as he is coaching alongside his father, Robert Wright, who has joined the Rams as an assistant coach.
Pre-Game Expectations Ahead of the game, Coach Wright shared his excitement for the season opener: "I was excited to get this adventure going. We have been working so hard the past couple of months, and we are just ready to get on the court and see where we are as a team."
With OCU coming off a successful 20-9 season, the Rams knew it would be a challenging first game. The Trailblazers were a strong opponent, and the Rams' energy and enthusiasm were high as they prepared for the contest.
Early Action
The night began with an electric atmosphere as the Rams were determined to set the tone early. After winning the opening tip, sophomore Ahmiah Jordan passed to Destiny Long, who converted the first points of the game with a smooth layup. The Rams quickly spread the ball around, with contributions from Long, Jordan, Lina Pagan, Elle Gunter, and Lauren Bragg, each adding to Bluefield's early total. By the end of the first quarter, the Rams had posted 16 points and had narrowly out-rebounded OCU 10-9.
The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with Bluefield continuing to push the pace. Their defense was aggressive, securing key steals and rebounds at pivotal moments. However, Ohio Christian answered back with their own strong play, and the Rams entered halftime down by just 3 points, with the score 30-27.
Second Half
Coming out of halftime, OCU's offense found a rhythm, and they were able to pull away in the third quarter. Despite the Rams' best efforts, the Trailblazers' kept the lead. By the time the final buzzer sounded, OCU had secured a 75-52 victory.
Notable Performances
Elle Gunter, a transfer from Roanoke College, led the Rams with 16 points, including a strong performance from the free-throw line (8-for-10). "We did many good things on both sides of the ball last night, we just need to clean them up and fix a few things. Otherwise, I have high hopes for this team. We're so athletic, other teams are going to have trouble stopping that," Gunter said after the game, already looking ahead to the rest of the season.
Destiny Long also had a solid showing, contributing 14 points and 9 rebounds. Ahmiah Jordan was another standout, finishing with 9 points and 10 rebounds, while Lina Pagan had 2 points but added valuable defense and play-making with 4 assists.
Coach Wright's Thoughts
After the game, Coach Wright reflected on the team's performance, praising their effort while acknowledging areas for improvement: "I'm proud of the way the girls fought. I thought we did some really good things on the court, especially in the first half. We just have to find a way to put 4 quarters together and play a complete game. We will get back to work tomorrow and keep building on this foundation we are laying."
Scores by Quarter:
- 1st Quarter: 16-15 OCU
- 2nd Quarter: 30-27 OCU
- 3rd Quarter: 52-38 OCU
- 4th Quarter: 75-52 OCU
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, Bluefield's performance showed promise, and the team is eager to continue developing throughout the season. Coach Wright and his squad will look to bounce back as they prepare for their next match-up at home against Clinton College on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6:00 PM.
Full Stats:
With the loss behind them, the Rams will look to build on the positives and refine their game in the weeks ahead as they continue their journey under Coach Wright's leadership.
