BECKLEY, W.Va. – The Bluefield University men's basketball opened its 2025–26 season on the road Saturday night, dropping a 96–81 contest to WVU Tech at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.

The Rams (0-1) jumped out to an early 6–2 lead behind baskets from Ke'Shaun Tonsall and Shaft Clark, but the Golden Bears (1-0) answered with a 13–3 run to take control midway through the first half. Bluefield battled to keep pace, using transition layups from Pharoah Fields and a three-pointer from Clark to stay within single digits, but WVU Tech closed the half strong to lead 45–33 at the break.

In the second half, BU found its rhythm offensively, shooting 52 percent from the field and cutting the deficit to as few as six points behind the play of DJ McDonald and Elijah White. McDonald's fastbreak dunk and back-to-back buckets from White sparked a 15–8 surge that made it 64–70 with nine minutes to play, but WVU Tech responded with a series of three-pointers to pull away late.

McDonald led the Rams with 15 points off the bench on 6-of-10 shooting, adding six rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Clark followed with 11 points and six boards, while both White and Tonsall chipped in 10 points apiece. Isaiah Sanders contributed seven points and four assists, and Jeremiah White provided a spark off the bench with nine points and three steals.

As a team, BU shot 43 percent from the floor and 81 percent from the foul line while forcing 18 turnovers.

Bluefield will look to bounce back on November 5, when the Rams travel to Presbyterian College for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff.