FROSTBURG, Md. – Four players scored in double figures and Frostburg State rallied from a large deficit late in the second half, but couldn’t finish off the rally and fell 91-85 to Mt. Aloysius in non-conference action, Wednesday.
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The Bobcats (3-5), playing in their first home game this season, trailed by 13 with 2:13 remaining before an aggressive 10-point rally brought the score to within three points and ignited the Bobcat Arena crowd.
Freshman Nick Smoot started the rally with a layup at 2:08 and stole the ensuing inbounds pass. Sophomore Jabari Kamau hit a layup nearly 10 seconds later, stole the ball from a Mountie player following a pass and hit a three-pointer at 1:33 as the Bobcats trailed by six, 85-79. Kamau again stole the ball from a Mt. Aloysius player following the inbounds pass and senior Christian Jackson hit two foul shots to pull the Bobcats to within three, 85-82. Sophomore Larry Ennels, II capped the 10-0 outburst with a free throw with 1:12 left as Frostburg trailed just 85-82.
However, the Bobcats would score just once more, a three pointer with 18 seconds left, and the Mounties (5-1) hit six free throws down the stretch for the victory.
The Mounties shot 53.4 percent (31-of-58) from the field and finished 26-of-35 (74.3%) from the free throw line. Tanner Thomas came off the bench to lead MTA in scoring with 28 points, followed by Stem finished with 21 points.
The Bobcats shot 44.8 percent (30-of-67) from the floor and made 10 three-pointers, but foul trouble gave the visitors valuable points at the foul line, including 15 free throws in the second half. Jackson led the charge for FSU with 21 points. Fellow senior DeSean Antoine added 17 points, behind a game-high four three-pointers.
FSU sophomore David Patrick hit a three-pointer just over two minutes into the opening half as the hosts opened up a 10-2 lead and controlled the tempo early on.
The Mounties slowly worked their way back into the game and a three-pointer from Jeff Stem at 8:00 tied the score at 26. Stem continued the surge for Mt. Aloysius with another three at 1:57 that gave the visitors an eight-point cushion, 40-32.
Bobcat senior Micah Steinmiller hit a layup as time expired in the first half with FSU trailing 42-37.
Mt. Aloysius led for the entire second half and a quick 9-0 spurt gave it a 12-point lead, 57-47 at 14:23. MTA kept its foot down and led by as many as 14 on several occasions before the Bobcats rally in the closing minutes.
Frostburg State travels to rival Salisbury for a CAC matchup this Saturday at 3:00 pm.
