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BC's Lady Rams finish third in the AAC.

Lacie Helms

March 27, 2012

The Bluefield women's basketball team finished the season with a 19-9 (13-5) record, landing the Lady Rams a third-place spot in the final Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season standings.

The Lady Rams were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the AAC tournament in a 68-55 loss to Milligan at the Dome on Feb. 22. 

	BC's Lady Rams

Despite the loss, the Rams qualified for the NCCAA Regional Tournament. 

"Right now our goal is to put everything we have learned, come together as a team, and win Nationals,” first-year head coach M.J. Baker said after the conference tournament. 

The Lady Rams' went on to win the NCCAA Regional Tournament with a 64-47 win over Oakland City on March 10. 

Bluefield lost 48-45 to Mount Vernon Nazarene in the opening round of the national tournament. After winning against Roberts Wesleyan in the consolation round, the Lady Rams were eliminated in a loss to Emmanuel, ending their season. 

Bluefield’s Jasmine Washington, De’Arra Darling, Takieva Rouse and Kia Gilliard returned to their positions as guards for their senior year to help lead the Lady Rams to a solid season. Washington joined the Rams for her last two years at Bluefield, while her senior teammates played each of their four years for the school.

The seniors’ experience was evident as they scored 42 percent of the overall season points. Washington contributed 162 points to the 2012 season with an overall career total of 328 points. She was followed by Darling, scoring 41 points this year adding up to 651 points for her career total. Rouse led the seniors in total scoring this year with 334. Her four-year scoring total finished at 1001.

Kia Gillard trailed Rouse for the 2012 season with 271 points, but she led her senior teammates with an impressive career total of 1029. Gillard was also named to the All-Conference Second Team for her skills at point guard.

When interviewed about the teams’ success, Washington said the team practiced and worked hard to overcome any challenges they faced. Having a new coach was one of the changes for the Lady Rams this year. Washington said that was tough, but that Baker “brought drive” to the team, helping them move forward.

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