FROSTBURG, Md. – Frostburg State had a pair of chances to tie the score late in the game, but it just wasn't meant to be as Mary Washington escaped Bobcat Arena with a slim 73-71 victory, Wednesday night.
 
Both teams traded leads in the second half and the visiting Eagles (8-10, 4-7 CAC) emerged with a four-point cushion, 71-67, with just 2:28 showing in the second half. Bobcat junior Nick Smoot hit a three-pointer at 2:15 to pull FSU to within one, 71-70.
 
Mary Washington answered with a layup from Eric Shaw with 31 seconds left to increase its lead to 73-70.
 
After a missed free throw by UMW with 13 seconds left, Smoot drew a foul while shooting a three-pointer with two seconds to go and was sent to the foul line with a chance to tie the game. He made the first attempt but the second attempt hit the right side of the net and caromed out of bounds off a Mary Washington player giving Frostburg one final chance to tie the game. On the ensuing inbounds pass, freshman Tyler Michael's jumper from the base line was off the mark and UMW earned the win.
 
Both teams shot over 45 percent from the floor and both made 29 baskets. However, UMW finished with 10 three-pointers to Frostburg's seven. The Eagles' bench also held a 40-15 scoring advantage behind 29 points from John Lutkenhaus. Taylor Johnson posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Frostburg (8-10, 4-7 CAC) erased an early eight-point deficit to lead by six twice midway through the second half until a late-game surge helped UMW to the win.
 
The Bobcats had four of five starters in double figures, led by junior Jerel Carter's 21 points. Carter shot 9-of-14 (64.2%), grabbed six rebounds and had six assists. Seventeen of his points came in the second half as FSU erased a 32-24 halftime deficit on Carter's second three-pointer of the second half less than five minutes into action.
 
Smoot finished with 14 points and tied a career-high with nine assists. Senior Jabari Kamau finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, while junior Shawn Henson had 11.
 
Frostburg returns to action this Saturday when it hosts Wesley at 3:00 pm.