FROSTBURG, Md. – Senior Ronje James hit a jumper from the baseline with four seconds to play to carry the Frostburg State women's basketball team to its second-straight victory as it downed Southern Virginia, 65-63, Wednesday night at Bobcat Arena.
Following four ties in the second half alone, the final coming with 20 seconds left, the Bobcats called timeout before James drove to the baseline in front of the Frostburg bench and drained the game-winner. The win improves Frostburg to 4-17 overall and 2-13 in the CAC, while the Knights fall to 6-17 and 3-12 in CAC play. Frostburg has won three of its last four games and James is a big reason why.
The reigning CAC Player of the Week has averaged 25.5 points per game during that stretch and finished with a game-high 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. She was also a perfect five-for-five at the foul line. Bobcat junior Courtney Young added 12 points while senior Jasmine Walker chipped in 12 rebounds.
The Knights jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead and after trading jumpers, the Bobcats took off on a 21-1 run to take a 27-17 lead with 5:52 left in the first half. Senior Ronje James had 11 of the Bobcats' 20 points during the run. Senior Jasmine Walker and sophomore Kache Fields each had four and senior Bria Jones added two.
The Bobcats kept their 10-point lead and took a 34-24 advantage into the locker room.
Frostburg State took its biggest lead of the game, 38-26, in the opening minutes of the second half. The Knights dug their way back into the contest and brought the game within six, but a jumper from James and a layup from senior Shaniqua Hall kept the Knights at bay and the Bobcats up 10.
Two three-pointers from Southern Virginia's Marissa Belliston and two layups from Crystal Cleveland knotted the game at 46 with 9:08 remaining. The Knights took their first and only lead in the second half when Morgan Hartvigsen sandwiched threes around two made free throws from James.
Down three, 55-52, with 4:28 left to play, the Bobcats took back control of the game with baskets from junior Courtney Young, James and Walker and a made free throw from freshman Adjowa Pinkrah.
FSU hit four free throws with the time winding down, but the Knights rallied behind two made free throws from Cleveland and jumpers from Belliston and Melynda Boren. With 20 seconds left before the final buzzer, Belliston tied the game at 63.
Following a Bobcat timeout with 12 seconds left, James sank the game-winner to give the Bobcats the victory.
Cleveland had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Knights. Belliston and Boren added 12 each.
The Bobcats head to Salisbury Saturday to take on the Sea Gulls at 1:00 p.m.