BLUEFIELD, Va. – Bluefield University women's basketball put together a strong second-half push and outscored Montreat in the third quarter, but an early deficit proved too much to overcome as the Rams fell 70–55 on Saturday afternoon inside The Dome.
Montreat opened the game on an 11–2 run before Elle Gunter hit a jumper at the 6:16 mark to settle the Rams offensively. Ashanti Northcross followed with a driving layup and a free throw to bring BU within 15–7 late in the period. Lauren Bragg added a jumper in the final minute, but Montreat closed the quarter ahead 23–9.
Bluefield responded early in the second quarter when Gunter connected on a three-pointer from the right wing, bringing the deficit to 23–12. J'Maia Joseph then provided a spark off the bench, scoring six points in the period, including a three-point play with 6:29 remaining. Zoey Snavely added a late three to keep Bluefield within reach, sending the Rams into halftime trailing 43–25.
The Rams played their best basketball of the afternoon in the third quarter. Gabriela Rosado powered inside for six quick points, starting with a layup at the 8:51 mark and another finish moments later off a feed from Gunter. Maddie Day buried a three on the next possession, then added another at 3:34 to complete an 11–3 Bluefield run that cut the deficit to 46–39. Rosado and Bragg each added buckets late in the quarter as the Rams trimmed the margin to 51–41 entering the fourth.
Montreat regrouped with a pair of early fourth-quarter baskets, but Bluefield continued to battle. Day knocked down her third three of the afternoon at 7:48, and Northcross scored seven points in the final two minutes, including four straight made free throws to close the game.
Rosado and Northcross led Bluefield with 10 points each, with Rosado adding three rebounds and going 4-for-6 from the field. Day finished with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from deep, while Joseph added six points and two rebounds off the bench. Gunter posted seven points, seven rebounds, and four assists, and Wynn contributed four points, six rebounds, and steady perimeter defense.
Bluefield (0–11, 0–5 AAC) returns to The Dome on Wednesday to host Johnson at 5:30 p.m.
