BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Bridgewater College opened up a 16-point lead early in the second half and then held on to defeat the Bluefield College Rams, 80-76, on the first day of the BC/Don Glick Classic.

The Eagles led by 12 points, 34-22, at the break and five quick points by Ronnie Thomas pushed the BC margin to 16 points, 39-23, with 18:23 left in the game.

Bluefield made its first run at the Eagles and cut the margin to four, 41-37, with 14:31 remaining. Bridgewater withstood the Rams charge and maintained the upper hand. The Eagles slowly added to their lead and pushed the margin back to double digits, 63-52, with 5:36 left on a pair of free throws by Daniel McClain.

Bluefield refused to go away and a pair of free throws by Jewuan Wynn with 31 seconds left cut the BC lead to four, 77-73.

Cody Griffith missed a pair of foul shots on BC's next trip, but the Rams were unable to take advantage as they turned the ball over before getting off a shot.

Drew Maynard hit two foul shots to push the lead to six, but a 3-pointer by Wynn made it a one possession game, 79-76, with 13 seconds left.

Maynard then hit 1-of-2 free throws with nine seconds left for the final margin of victory.

Griffith led the Eagles, now 3-6 overall, with 22 points and Thomas added 15. Rick Maloney finished with 13 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.

"That's a great job on the boards by Rick," said BC coach Don Burgess. "He keeps giving us a solid productive effort each night. Credit Coach Morgan as his team never quit and they shot their way back into the game by hitting some threes down the stretch. It's a good team win for us and it's always nice to get a win at home in the Glick Classic."

Byron Carpenter paced the Rams with 22 points.

In Saturday's first game of the Classic, Eastern Mennonite defeated Averett, 97-89.

Sunday afternoon, EMU faces Bluefield at 2:00 p.m. followed by Bridgewater against Averett.