Bluefield, VA – The Bluefield University Rams secured their first conference victory of the season in a heated match-up against the Columbia International University Rams at the Dome Gymnasium, winning 64-55 in the "Battle of the Rams." Both teams entered the game still searching for their first conference win, but it was Bluefield who emerged victorious.
The Bluefield Rams started the game with an explosive 12-0 run, showcasing a strong presence on both ends of the court. Contributions came from all players, with the team playing cohesively to dominate the first half. At halftime, Bluefield held a commanding 32-16 lead.
The third quarter saw Bluefield extend their lead to 49-28, maintaining defensive intensity and offensive rhythm. Although CIU rallied late in the fourth quarter, hitting several contested three-pointers to cut into the lead, the Bluefield Rams kept their composure. Key defensive plays, including steals from
Ashanti Northcross and blocks by
Kiarra Guzman, ensured that Bluefield held on for the win.
Spotlight Performers
This victory marked a special moment for Head Coach
Jake Wright, who earned his first win as head coach for Bluefield University.
"What an awesome win tonight," Coach Wright said. "It's such a blessing for our team and these young ladies. This is everything they've worked for. They competed offensively and defensively like crazy. I'm just an extremely proud coach of a lot of amazing young ladies."
Wright praised the performance of standout player,
Destiny Long, who led the team with 21 points and 9 rebounds.
"Destiny looked like pre-injury Destiny," Wright remarked. "We also saw great point distribution from the rest of the team. It's the most points we've had off the bench all year, which is a key stat for us."
The Rams' ball movement was another highlight, with 14 assists on the night. Wright explained the importance of that stat: "Anytime we hit 14-15 assists, those are our better games. We just need to keep that up."
Rebounding was also a decisive factor, with Bluefield out-rebounding CIU 40-33. "Defensively, we won the rebounding margin, and that won us the game," Wright said. "
Destiny Long and
Elle Gunter both had nine rebounds, and
Gabriela Rosado was right behind them with six. Everyone boxed out, attacked the ball, and took the life out of CIU."
Coach Wright also shared a meaningful pregame moment with his team, emphasizing faith and unity. "I gave them a verse before the game—Jeremiah 22:11—just talking about faith in your team, teammates, coaches, and school. We're blessed with the people we have around us. Not every school has its president at almost every home game. It's a great atmosphere here."
Looking ahead, Wright stressed the importance of improving offensive efficiency and finishing games strong. "With about five minutes left in the fourth quarter, it was a 22-point game. We have to learn to keep it there and not let them creep back in," he said.
The Rams will aim to carry this momentum into their next game against Kentucky Christian University in another conference match-up on December 7 at 2 p.m. at the Dome Gymnasium.
As the Rams continue to move in the "Wright" direction, the team and its fans have much to look forward to this season.
