BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Bluefield University men's basketball put together one of its strongest offensive performances of the season but came up short Wednesday night, falling 83–77 to Union Commonwealth inside Robsion Arena.

The Rams opened the game with confidence, scoring the first two baskets on a jumper from Ke'Shaun Tonsall and a mid-range finish by Lenair Young. Bluefield held early leads of 2–0 and 4–2 before Union countered with a 10–2 run. The Rams answered with timely scoring from Pharoah Fields and Elijah White, and a Young three-pointer cut the deficit to 12–9 at the 12-minute mark. BU continued to keep the margin manageable behind strong defensive rebounding and late-half free throws from Isaiah Sanders, trailing just 30–26 at the break.

After halftime, Bluefield erupted offensively, shooting 47 percent from the field and 41 percent from three. DJ McDonald fueled the early surge with five quick points, including a three-pointer to pull the Rams within 34–31. Moments later, Lenair Young hit from deep and McDonald buried another three to tie the game at 39–39 with 16:56 remaining.

Union pushed the margin back to two possessions, but BU kept battling. A Fields three, followed by back-to-back layups from Elijah White, trimmed the deficit to 48–46. Danny Alford later powered inside for a finish and added a three-pointer at the 3:43 mark, narrowing the margin to 71–64.

Bluefield mounted one final push in the closing seconds. Sanders converted four straight free throws, and White buried a deep three with 24 seconds left to make it 79–77. But Union closed the game at the line and added a late dunk to seal the six-point margin.

McDonald led the Rams with 15 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. White followed with 12 points and seven assists, while Sanders and Tonsall each added 11. Fields and Alford contributed eight apiece, and Young scored eight with five rebounds.

BU (1–8, 1–3 AAC) returns home Saturday to host Montreat at 4:00 p.m. inside The Dome Gymnasium.