FREDERICK, Md. – Three starters scored in double figures for Frostburg State, but the Bobcats suffered a 77-68 loss to Eastern Mennonite in the 2014 Rotary of Frederick Holiday Classic Championship game, Sunday.
 
The Bobcats (6-4) opened the game with a bang as junior Nick Smoot and senior Jabari Kamau knocked down back-to-back three-pointers for an early 6-0 lead. Moments later Kamau hit two-consecutive baskets and junior David Patrick made a three-pointer as FSU led 22-15 just before the midway point in the first half.
 
Two Smoot jumpers later handed the Bobcats a pair of eight point cushions, their largest of the first half. The Royals (8-3) rebounded with a 15-5 scoring spurt for a 33-31 advantage with 3:59 to play in the opening stanza.
 
Junior Breon Powell hit a jumper and a three-pointer in the closing minutes to pull Frostburg to within 40-37 at halftime.
 
However, the second half belonged mostly to Eastern Mennonite as it never relinquished its lead. FSU brought the deficit within a couple of baskets on several occasions and trailed by just three, 55-52, at 9:36 thanks to a three-pointer from junior Jerel Carter.
 
The Royals answered with a 13-0 run that opened up a 68-52 lead with just 3:33 showing in regulation. Patrick hit a jumper with 45 seconds left to pull the Bobcats within eight points before the final sounded at 77-68.
 
Less than 24 hours after shooting a season-high in the win over Hood, Frostburg shot just 36.5 percent (27-for-74) from the field and just 24 percent (6-for-25)  from three-point range. EMU finished 24-for-53 (45.3%) from the floor, but used a 22-of-38 (57.9%) effort from the foul line to cover the difference in field goals.
 
Powell and Smoot both finished with 14 points to pace the Bobcats. Powell totaled 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists in two games to garner all-tournament honors. Kamau joined Powell on the all-tournament team after scoring 12 points with seven rebounds and three steals in the title game. He finished the classic with 34 points and 16 rebounds.
 
The Royals were led by tournament MVP Marcel Crump, who poured in 23 points and grabbed 12 boards in the victory. Jerome Jones added all-tournament honors after scoring 16 points on Sunday.
 
Frostburg State returns to action when it jumps back in to CAC action at Wesley on Jan. 3 at 3:00 pm.