MONTREAT, N.C. – Bluefield University women's basketball put together a strong third-quarter surge but could not overcome a second-quarter run by Montreat, falling 72–63 Saturday afternoon at McAlister Gymnasium.
The Rams started fast behind Maddie Day's hot shooting. Day scored eight of Bluefield's first 10 points, including back-to-back three-pointers at the 8:54 and 5:47 marks to give BU an early five-point edge. Ashanti Northcross added a steal and layup midway through the quarter as BU led 10–6. Montreat responded late in the period with a transition three and a fast-break layup to take a 15–13 lead after one.
The momentum shifted in the second quarter as Montreat used a 14–6 run to create separation. Anna Smith provided a spark off the bench with a pair of midrange jumpers and controlled the glass on both ends, while Northcross converted a three-point play at the 8:43 mark to briefly put Bluefield back in front, 18–17. Montreat, however, capitalized on second-chance opportunities and transition points to take a 37–24 lead into halftime.
BU responded with its best offensive stretch of the afternoon in the third quarter, shooting 50 percent from the field. Day drilled two more threes to ignite a 10–2 run, and Zoey Snavely knocked down a pair of free throws to trim the margin to 12. Gabriela Rosado added two strong finishes in the paint, and Anna Smith scored twice in the final minute to bring the Rams within nine entering the fourth.
The Rams continued to battle in the final period. Day connected on a three at the 8:28 mark to cut the deficit to seven, and Northcross added a layup with just over two minutes remaining to make it a single-digit game. Despite holding Montreat to 17 fourth-quarter points, Bluefield could not fully close the gap as the hosts sealed the game at the free-throw line.
Day led all scorers with 27 points on 7-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc. Northcross added 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Anna Smith recorded 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Rosado contributed four points and three rebounds, and Snavely added four points in 22 minutes.
BU returns home Wednesday to host Georgia Gwinnett at 5:30 p.m. inside The Dome.
