FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State women's basketball team shot just 25.6 percent from the field in the second half to let an 11-point first half lead slip away as St. Mary's (Md.) came out on top, 79-74, Saturday afternoon.
Box Score
At 11:11 remaining in the first half, both teams battled to gain control of the game as the contest saw five ties within the first nine minutes of play. The Bobcats (5-14, 3-10 CAC) erupted for a 17-5 run to grab a 12-point lead, 34-22, as the Seahawks missed 10 shots during the five minute stretch.
FSU built its lead as high as 15 with 32 seconds left in the first frame, but the deficit was slimmed by a last second three pointer by junior Matti Vagnoni to post the halftime score at 43-32.
Just three minutes into the second half, the Bobcats held their double-digit lead 49-38. A quick foul shot followed by a layup by senior Sophie Pruden brought the game within eight and two more SMC scores brought the game within four, 49-45 with 14:24 left to play.
St. Mary's kept chipping away and continued to get closer and closer to seizing FSU's lead. At 8:34, the Seahawks grabbed their first lead of the second half, 59-57. Once the Seahawks grabbed their lead, they refused to let it slip away, even though the Bobcats brought the game within just three points on four separate occasions.
SMC controlled the paint in the second half, outrebounding FSU 34-15 and outscoring the Bobcats 26-8 from close range. Much of the credit goes to Pruden who produced a second-half double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
FSU was paced by junior guard Elaina Hummel who posted 25 points, a team-high eight rebounds along with five assists and four steals. Hummel, who consistently fills up the stat sheet, is currently ranked first in the CAC in points per game (17.6) and free throw percentage (88.0).
Junior Simone Wise scored 13 points while classmate Kyler Redmond and freshman Kayla Love contributed nine points each.
The Seahawks were led by senior Shana Lewis who tallied a game-high 26 points. SMC had three other players reach double figures as Pruden finished with 19, while Vagnoni and Bridget Wilkins scored 12 and 10 respectively.
The Bobcats return to action this Monday as they host Mt. Aloysius at 6:00 pm.
