FREDERICK, Md. – Despite shooting a season-high 53.1 percent from the floor, the Frostburg State men's basketball team needed a second-half rally to defeat Hood 82-77, Saturday, in the opening round of the 2014 Rotary of Frederick Holiday Classic.
 
With the victory, FSU (6-3) advances to the championship game on Sunday where it will face Eastern Mennonite (7-3) at 3:00 pm. The Royals downed Piedmont, 69-66, in the first game on Saturday in overtime.
 
Frostburg led by as many as 12 points in the opening half and by 13 in the second half, but the host Blazers (2-5) didn't back down and recaptured the lead, 67-66, with 5:21 to play in regulation. Junior David Patrick turned the momentum back in favor of Frostburg with a four-point play at 5:10 when he hit a three-pointer that drew a foul. He knocked down the ensuing free throw and FSU never trailed again.
 
The Bobcats tightened down on defense allowing Hood to score just seven points following Patrick's three-pointer, while the Bobcats themselves closed out the contest with 16 points
 
Junior Jerel Carter scored a season-high 22 points, including four three-pointers. His second trey of the evening put the Bobcats up 12, 40-28, with 2:51 left in the first, while his second handed Frostburg a 13-point cushion, 53-40, just under five minutes into the second half. It was Carter's third consecutive contest in double figures. He shot 7-for-10 (70%) from the field, pulled down six rebounds and handed out four assists.
 
Saturday's victory marks the second time this season that Frostburg has shot over 50 percent from the floor and the second time the Bobcats have made 10 or more three-pointers. FSU finished 32-of-56 from the field and 10-of-20 from beyond the arc. Frostburg also posted seven blocks and pushed its CAC leading total to 51 on the year.
 
Senior Jabari Kamau matched Carter with a season-high 22 points to go along with a team-high nine rebounds. Tyler Michael came off the bench to finish with 12.
 
FSU never trailed in the opening half and outscored Hood, 42-36. The Blazers pulled to within one on two occasions around the midway point of the second half before finally taking a 67-66 lead with 5:21 to play.
 
Chris Cook led all players with 30 points, including five three-pointers. Terell Buyck added 14 points.