LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Frostburg State men's basketball team suffered an overtime loss to Randolph College, 75-64, in the Bobcat's first road trip of the season, Monday night.
Box Score
Randolph came out firing as soon as the ball was in play, scoring nine-straight points in the first four minutes of action. Junior forward Jabari Kamau was the first Bobcat to get on the board, finding room in the paint for two points, as the hosts led 9-2 at 16:15.
As a couple minutes ticked off the clock, the Bobcats still found themselves in a 15-7 hole. Senior guard Aaron Bellamy helped kick FSU in action with a long range three-pointer, assisted by junior James Peters at 10:31. Senior forward Robert Williams helped close the gap, finishing a layup after collecting an offensive rebound. Williams completed the three-point play to bring the game to within two, 15-13, at 9:33.
Several costly turnovers allowed the Wildcats to capitalize and ring off a nine-point run to regain a 13 point advantage, the largest lead of the first half. FSU eventually fought back to go into halftime down just six points, 33-27.
The Bobcat bench highlighted the scoring for Frostburg in the first half and throughout the game, accounting for 22 points in the first frame and 28 points in the second half. FSU's bench players outscored Randolph's non-starters 52-16.
Randolph grew yet another lead after halftime, holding the Bobcats off by double-digits, 44-32 at the 16-minute mark.
In a game full of runs, the Bobcats started yet another climb to close the gap. Bellamy found sophomore Nick Smoot for a three-ball, followed by a score from Kamau, again assisted by Bellamy. Sophomore Kurt Gangler got involved in the action, posting two points from the paint, with a dish by Kamau to post the score at 44-39, at 14:58.
Gangler, after getting fouled from behind the arc, stepped up to hit 2-of-3 foul shots, and brought the game within three just thirty seconds later.
Randolph halted the Bobcats with an outside shot from sophomore Corey Brown. The scoring action ceased for three minutes as neither team could find a score. Both teams had plenty of opportunities but just couldn't find the net as a combined five shots missed the mark.
Gangler ended the scoring draught at 11:49, as he swiped the ball from the Wildcats and completed the fast break, 46-43 in favor of the hosts. Gangler continued to pace the Bobcats as he brought FSU within one after netting two free throws at 11:16.
For the next eight minutes, Randolph maintained a slim lead. FSU found its first lead of the game with just 3:26 left of regulation, as Bellamy connected with Gangler as he knocked down the long ball to put the Bobcats up two, 58-56.
Randolph's Dylan Shifflett took advantage of an FSU foul to tie the game at 2:07 with two foul shots.
Following a Bobcat timeout, Nick Smoot hit a crucial jumper for a two point lead at 1:12, 60-58.
With just five seconds on the clock, FSU surrendered a foul to put Wildcat sophomore Zach Desgain at the line for two. Desgain hit the clutch free throws to send the game to overtime, 60-60.
In the five minute overtime period, FSU led at 3:43. Randolph, however, put together a vital scoring run and rang up a 15-4 scoring spurt to post the final score at 75-64.
Bellamy finished with a solid double-double performance of 11 points and 10 rebounds, while donating four assists. Gangler completed a solid night leading the Bobcats in scoring with 15 points while adding three steals and three rebounds. Junior Torrell Goodman steered the Bobcats in rebounding with 11 boards.
The Wildcats had five players reaching double-digits. Senior Mike Ehilegbu posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Desgain posted a game-high 18 points, while contributing seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Frostburg State returns to action this Thursday (Nov. 21) as they travel to Cresson, Pa. for a match against non-conference opponent Mt. Aloyius. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 pm.
