BLUEFIELD, Va. – Bluefield University women's basketball started fast and led after the opening quarter, but Johnson University used strong second- and third-quarter runs to pull away as the Rams fell 68–53 on Tuesday evening inside The Dome.

The Rams opened with one of their most efficient first quarters of the season. Ashanti Northcross set the tone early, scoring Bluefield's first two baskets—both in transition—to give BU a 5–2 advantage. Moments later, Zoey Snavely finished inside to push the lead to 9–6 before Johnson tied the game with a three-pointer. BU responded at the foul line, with Northcross and Gabriela Rosado combining for six straight free throws to give the Rams a 15–14 edge at the end of the quarter.

Bluefield continued to trade baskets early in the second. Northcross hit a pull-up jumper to bring BU within 18–17, and Rosado added a layup at the 7:48 mark to make it 21–19. Snavely later knocked down a three from the left wing, and Abby O'Quinn buried a triple with 2:15 remaining to cut the deficit to 30–28. Johnson, however, closed the half on an 8–2 run to take a 38–30 lead into the break.

BU opened the third quarter with energy, as Rosado scored five straight points—including a transition layup off a Maddie Day rebound—to pull the Rams within 38–33. Johnson answered with three consecutive threes from Jordan Heifner to stretch its lead to 47–34. The Rams continued to battle defensively, but Johnson's perimeter shooting helped the Royals carry a 53–41 advantage into the fourth.

In the final period, Rosado scored twice more inside and added another jumper with 1:03 remaining. Lauren Bragg hit a midrange shot, and Elle Gunter converted a strong layup off a steal to give the Rams a late push, but Johnson maintained its cushion down the stretch.

Rosado led Bluefield with a dominant double-double—20 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Northcross added 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Charli Wynn matched her season high with four points while adding two assists, and Gunter contributed six rebounds and three steals. Snavely finished with five points, and O'Quinn added three more off the bench.

BU (0–12, 0–6 AAC) concludes its 2025 slate at home Saturday, hosting Spartanburg Methodist at 2 p.m.