BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield University women's basketball team opens the 2025–26 season Saturday, but before the Rams take the court, here's a look at the upcoming season and what to expect from this year's squad.
2024-25 REVIEW
Last season, the Rams went 5-21 overall and 5-17 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. BU finished its season on a two-game winning streak with a 56-48 road win at Columbia International and a home win on senior day over St. Andrews, 81-64. In the 2025-26 AAC Preseason Poll, Bluefield was picked to finish T-11 in the league with 44 points. The full AAC Preseason Poll release can be found here.
2025–26 SCHEDULE
Bluefield opens the new season on the road November 1 at Georgia Gwinnett before heading to Midway to continue a four-game road stretch. The Rams' home opener comes November 15 against Columbia. Conference play begins December 3 at Union, with key AAC home dates including Montreat (Dec. 6), Johnson University (Dec. 10), and Spartanburg Methodist (Dec. 13).
After the holiday break, the Rams return to AAC play January 3 at Columbia and host Johnson & Wales (Jan. 9), Truett McConnell (Jan. 10), and Union (Jan. 21). BU's regular season concludes February 21 at home against Reinhardt before the AAC Tournament begins the following week.
THE RETURNERS
A core of experienced upperclassmen returns to lead the Rams. Senior guard Ahmiah Jordan, the team's leading returning scorer, averaged 10.0 points per game and led Bluefield with 29 made three-pointers last season. Fellow senior guard Ashanti Northcross added 5.0 points per game, while senior guard/forward Elle Gunter contributed across the stat sheet with 4.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per contest.
Also returning are senior center Gabriela Rosado, junior forward Lauren Bragg, and senior forward Najah Ghani-Perryman, each of whom appeared in at least 18 games a season ago.
NEW FACES
Second-year head coch Jake Wright welcomes nine newcomers to the program, including two transfers and seven freshmen. Transfers Maddie Day (Tazewell, Va./Southwest Virginia CC) and Chloe Shields (Pitman, N.J./Rowan College) bring collegiate experience to the backcourt and wing positions. The freshman class features J'Maia Joseph (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge), Abby O'Quinn (Abingdon, Va./Abingdon), Kierston Rozell (Danese, W.Va./Meadow Bridge), Anna Smith (Waynesboro, Va./Miller School of Albemarle), Elizabeth Smith (Salem, Va./Salem), Zoey Snavely (Floyd, Va./Floyd County), and Charli Wynn (Roanoke, Va./Salem).
