Rams Fall in Home Opener to WVU Tech in Front of Energetic Crowd

Photo courtesy of Bluefield University’s Athletic Communications Department.

Bluefield University’s men’s basketball team came up short against WVU Tech, falling 83-74 at the Dome on November 3. Despite staying within striking distance for much of the contest, the Rams were unable to overcome the Golden Bears down the stretch.

The matchup featured a competitive first half, with Bluefield trailing just 40-35 at halftime. The Rams continued to battle after the break, keeping the game within reach before WVU Tech used its advantage at the free-throw line to create separation late. The Golden Bears finished 25-for-35 from the charity stripe, helping them maintain their lead in the closing minutes.

Bluefield had several players contribute offensively throughout the contest. Tyler Suber led the Rams with 12 points, shooting 4-for-9 from the field and going 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. William O’Shields added 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Pharoah Fields also contributed 11 points off the bench.

AJ Armstrong finished with nine points and four assists, while Michael Davis added eight points and five assists. Danard Hollingsworth Jr. added seven points and five assists, and Mike Alexander made an impact on the boards, finishing with six rebounds.

Scotty Browning paced WVU Tech with 23 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Jase Smith contributed 19 points, while Roman Kellum and James Wood each contributed 10 points. The Smith and Browning duo proved to be the biggest difference during the night.

Beyond the action on the court, the atmosphere inside the Dome was a highlight of the evening. Following renovations over the summer, the newly updated facility brought renewed energy to the home crowd. Attendance was announced at 415, potentially marking a new attendance record for the venue.

The game also featured a strong local connection, with a combined 14 players between the two programs having played at local high schools. Local players for Bluefield included Pharoah Fields from Bluefield High School, Gavin Lance from Bland County High School, Kyle Hunt and Ethan McClanahan from Grundy High School, Britt Beasley from Princeton Senior High School, and Lane McMullen from Tazewell High School. For WVU Tech, local players included Jase Smith from Bluefield High School, Scotty Browning from Logan High School, Cole Lambert from Wyoming East High School, Jayce Gum from Princeton Senior High School, Jalon Bailey from Shady Spring High School, Ashton Arthur from Independence High School, Brent Conley Jr. from Oak Hill High School, and John Rose from Greater Beckley Christian School.

That connection of so many local players brought additional excitement to the matchup, giving local fans an opportunity to watch familiar faces compete at the collegiate level.

Although the Rams came away with a loss, their ability to remain competitive against WVU Tech for much of the night provided plenty of positives to build on as the season continues.

Box Score: Men’s Basketball vs WVU Tech on 11/3/2026 – Box Score – Bluefield University Athletics