Published: January 11, 2009 10:41 pm         

Saturday college roundup: Ramblin' Rams roll

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. — The Bluefield College Ramblin’ Rams had both defense and offense working in the first half Saturday night, forcing Milligan into 19 turnovers and shooting 19-of-35 from the floor en route to a 54-33 lead at the break and a 102-69 win.

The Rams, No. 18 in the NAIA national poll, shot 57 percent (16-of-28) from the field in the second half. Milligan was 2-for-14 in three-point tries during the game and had 33 turnovers overall.

Curtis Dixon had 19 points to lead the Rams, Borgia M’Bala chimed in 14 and Martell Powell added 10.

Bluefield, now 12-5 overall and 6-0 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference, returns home to face AAC opponent Tennessee Wesleyan on Wednesday.

*****

West Virginia State 109, Concord 78

INSTITUTE — West Virginia State (7-4, 3-1) placed six players in double figures as the Yellow Jackets blasted Concord (2-8, 0-4) on Saturday night. Ted Scott rained in 27 points for State, while Ricky Jackson had 21 points and 15 rebounds.

The Jackets, which led 54-34 at halftime, forced 24 turnovers and shot 57 percent from the field as they led by as many as 35.

Cordale Boyd’s 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds paced Concord. Cory Willard and Matt Parker each notched a dozen points for the Mountain Lions.

*****

Saturday women’s hoops

UConn 85, WVU 55

MORGANTOWN (AP) — Renee Mont-gomery scored 28 points to lead top-ranked Connecticut to a road win at the Coliseum.

Connecticut (15-0, 2-0 Big East) improved to 20-1 against the Mountain-eers. The Huskies have won every game this season by double digits.

West Virginia (10-5, 0-3) entered the game with one of the top defenses in the nation, allowing just 52 points per game. But Connecticut almost had that by halftime, when it led 47-30.

Takisha Granberry scored 17 points, Liz Repella had 15 and Sarah Miles added 14 for West Virginia.

Connecticut’s Maya Moore had 16 points and 10 points.

*****

Milligan 90, Bluefield 76

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. — Milligan fended off the Lady Rams at the foul line, going 23-for-27 in the second half while Bluefield was 6-for-8.

In the first half, Bluefield (9-9, 2-4 AAC) shot 34 percent from the field while Milligan (9-8, 4-2) connected on 15 of 31 tries to take a 38-33 halftime edge.

Kiara Lewis led BC with 13 points. The Lady Buffs’ Heather Mandela, last week’s AAC player of the week, led all scorers with 18 points and had 15 rebounds.

Bluefield plays Tennessee Wesleyan on Wednesday at the Dome Gymnasium.

     

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