BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Bluefield University women's basketball used a second-half surge to erase a slow start, but the comeback fell short Wednesday night in a 79–65 loss to Union Commonwealth at Robsion Arena.

The Rams struggled to find early rhythm, scoring their first basket at the 8:26 mark on an Ashanti Northcross layup. Union Commonwealth capitalized on turnovers to build an early lead, but Bluefield stayed within striking distance thanks to a strong defensive sequence from Charli Wynn, who grabbed a steal and converted a layup in transition to pull BU within 11–7 late in the first quarter. The Koalas, however, closed the period on an 8–2 run to lead 19–7.

A challenging second quarter saw the Rams generate quality looks but struggle to convert, shooting 1-of-13 from the floor. Northcross added a free throw and Lauren Bragg powered inside for two points at the line, but Union carried a 42–12 lead into halftime.

BU flipped the momentum completely out of the break. A 10–2 BU run began with back-to-back layups from Elle Gunter and Gabriela Rosado, followed by a three-pointer from Maddie Day to cut the deficit to 50–23. The Rams continued to push in transition, with Day drilling her second three of the quarter and Rosado finishing off a baseline feed to bring BU within 58–29. Another Day three-pointer with 2:18 left capped an explosive 26-point quarter for Bluefield—its highest-scoring frame of the season—making it 61–32 entering the fourth.

The Rams kept attacking in the final period, opening with a Lauren Bragg layup and a Northcross finish in the lane. Abby O'Quinn added a three-pointer at the 8:21 mark, then buried another with 29 seconds remaining for her 10th point of the night. Gunter stayed steady throughout, scoring twice inside and knocking down a late jumper to pull BU within 14 in the final minute. BU outscored Union 53–37 in the second half.

Day led the Rams with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including three threes. Northcross added 12 points, five assists, and three steals, while Gunter produced a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Rosado finished with nine points on perfect shooting, and O'Quinn added 10 points off the bench. Bragg contributed nine rebounds and four points, while Wynn totaled five points, five assists, and three steals.

Bluefield (0–10, 0–4 AAC) returns home Saturday to host Montreat at 2 p.m inside The Dome Gymnasium.