BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Bluefield University women's basketball opened Wednesday's crosstown matchup with strong early shot-making, but Bluefield State's pace and pressure forced turnovers and created separation as the Rams fell 104–48 inside Ned Shott Gymnasium.
The Rams struck first when Maddie Day buried a three-pointer from the right wing just over a minute into the game to give BU a 3–0 lead. Day knocked down a second triple moments later, and after a Lauren Bragg jumper and an Ashanti Northcross fast-break layup at the 2:00 mark, Bluefield trailed just 18–14 in a back-and-forth opening period. A late free throw from Zoey Snavely brought the Rams within 24–15 after one.
Bluefield scored early in the second with an Abby O'Quinn layup to cut the gap to 28–17, and the Rams continued to generate looks around the rim with Bragg and Northcross converting inside. O'Quinn later added a three-pointer from the top of the arc to bring the deficit to 32–25 with 5:57 remaining. However, turnovers proved costly, and the Big Blue used a decisive 23–3 run to close the half with a 55–28 advantage.
Rosado opened the third-quarter scoring for BU with a finish through contact, followed by another layup two possessions later to make it 32–58. Northcross added a pair of free throws, and Day and O'Quinn hit jumpers across the middle portion of the quarter, but Bluefield State continued to capitalize on fast-break opportunities and second-chance points. A late Northcross layup brought the Rams to 37–74 heading into the fourth.
In the final period, Katelyn Norman drilled a three from the left wing, and Rosado added her third basket of the night inside. Kierston Rozell scored on a jumper at the 1:22 mark, and Northcross closed her afternoon with a pair of steals and multiple trips to the free throw line.
Northcross led the Rams with 12 points, six assists, and three steals in 33 minutes. Rosado added six points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Day scored six points on two first-quarter threes. Bragg matched them with six points on perfect shooting, and O'Quinn finished with seven points and an assist. Gunter and Wynn combined for five points and nine rebounds, while Norman and Rozell each added three and two points respectively off the bench.
Bluefield (0–9, 0–3 AAC) returns to conference play Wednesday, traveling to Union Commonwealth for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
