DOVER, Del. – An audacious rally came up just short for Frostburg State as it lost to Wesley College, 82-75, in Capital Athletic Conference men’s basketball action, Saturday.
The Bobcats fall to 11-11 overall and 8-5 in the league, while Wesley improves to 9-12 overall and 7-5 in conference play.
Wesley appeared to run away with the contest early in the first half, leading by as many as 20 points in the opening stanza. The hosts continued the pressure into the second, holding their lead in double digits for much of the half, including a 17-point advantage with 11:32 remaining.
The Bobcats came alive in the waning minutes. Frostburg cut the deficit to single digits at 4:01 and again with 3:12 showing, but Wesley’s Chris Douglas made four free throws over a seven-second span to increase the lead back to 11, 74-63, with 2:36 to play.
After a Douglas layup put Wesley back up by 10 with 1:38 to play, the Bobcats scored six-consecutive points and trailed by just four, 76-72, at 1:14. Senior guard Troy Dockett sandwiched two three-pointers around a Bradley Nunn steal to put FSU back in contention.
The teams traded baskets over the next 20 seconds before Wesley hit a pair of free throws to increase its lead to six (80-74) with 38 seconds left.
With 30 seconds left, Dockett hit a free throw to bring FSU within five, but Wesley sealed the win with two of its own free throws with 29 seconds left.
Senior Maurice Williams posted his fourth double-double of the season and second in three games after scoring a team-high 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Dockett finished with 22 points, including 20 in the second half behind four three-pointers. Nunn added 16 points and four assists.
Douglas powered Wesley with 26 points behind 8-of-12 shooting and 7-of-10 from the foul line. Paul Reynolds added 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
The Wolverines shot 54.9 percent from the floor, including a 61.9 percent effort in the second half despite being outscored by the visiting Bobcats 52-40.
Frostburg has the week off and returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Salisbury at 3:00 pm for senior day.
