FREDERICK, Md. – Senior forward Maurice Williams hit the go ahead basket with 1:44 to play and the Frostburg State men’s basketball team hung on for a tough 56-54 win over Hood in Capital Athletic Conference action, Wednesday evening.

The Blazers (12-9, 4-8) appeared to be in control of the contest after leading by as many as 12 points in the first half and leading from the opening tip until halftime. Hood’s Cameron Cook furthered the trend early in the second half with a three-pointer that put the hosts up seven, 32-25, with 17:40 to go.

The Bobcats (11-10, 8-4) gathered themselves behind a quick 9-2 jolt that tied the game for the first time with 14:40 showing. Senior DeSean Antoine hit a three-pointer that capped the run.

Williams hit a pair of jumpers moments later to put the visitors up by three points, but Hood battled to tie the contest at 41-41 and later assume a 43-41 lead with 7:24 to play.

However, with 5:33 left in the game, Antoine converted a conventional three-point play behind a layup and a free throw to give the Bobcats a one-point advantage, 44-43.

FSU held on to the lead over the next few minutes and extended its cushion to five points (53-48) on a freshman Tyler Logan jumped at 3:37.

The Blazers made one final charge behind a 6-0 run that put them in the lead by one point, 54-53, with 2:08 to play.

On the ensuing Bobcat possession, Williams hit the go ahead basket for a 55-54 lead and Antoine hit a free throw with 37 seconds left to give the Bobcats a two-point lead.

Hood had its chances late, but two missed free throws and three missed baskets inside the final 30 seconds doomed the hosts.

After struggling in the first half, Frostburg rebounded to shoot 51.7 percent (15-of-29) during the decisive second. The Bobcats also overcame a 44-33 deficit in rebounding and a 3-of-16 (18.7%) effort from beyond three-point range.

Williams and Antoine finished in double figures for the Bobcats. Williams scored a game-high 18 points and tied for the team lead with six boards. Antoine added 13 points, 11 in the second half on 4-of-7 shooting.

Cook led the Blazers with 16 points. He handed out five assists and hit all three Hood three-pointers. Hood shot just 39.2 percent (20-of-51) for the game and 3-of-18 (16.6%) from beyond the arc.

Frostburg returns to action on Saturday with a CAC road contest at Wesley at 3:00 pm.