MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Junior Edwin Cole scored a career-high 21 points and led Frostburg in scoring but it wasn't enough as the Bobcats fell to Penn State Harrisburg, 56-53, Wednesday night.
Cole scored eight of Frostburg's first 10 points and the Bobcats (4-16, 3-10) led for almost the entire contest.
Penn State Harrisburg (9-11, 6-7) scored the game's opening basket before Cole scored four-straight points for a Frostburg lead. The visitors didn't trail again until the final minute when the Lions rebounded with a late 15-0 run for the victory.
The Bobcat lead swelled to 10 points, 14-4, with 11:24 left in the first half on a free throw from freshman Rhashad Johnson.
Penn State Harrisburg cut it to three points twice but FSU didn't allow the hosts to get any closer. Cole hit two more foul shots at 6:27 and junior Tyler Michael hit a jumper with 54 seconds to play that answered both occasions when the Lions closed to within three points. Michael's basket put the Bobcats up, 30-25, at halftime.
In the second, Frostburg pushed its halftime lead into a nine-point edge just under six minutes into the frame. Michael hit a three-pointer at 14:07 for a 42-33 lead.
Frostburg's lead hit 10, 45-35, moments later on a three-pointer from Johnson. With 6:40 showing, Cole connected on a foul shot to put the Bobcats up 12, 53-41.
However, Penn State Harrisburg had one final run left in the tank as it scored the game's final 15 points over the final 6:40 of regulation for the win. Harrisburg took its first lead since the game's opening basket when Marquese Daniels hit a layup with 51 seconds left for a 54-53 advantage.
Jazmon Harris pushed the lead to three, 56-53 with 15 seconds left behind two foul shots. Frostburg had two three–pointers in the waning seconds but neither found their mark.
Cole was Frostburg's only player in double figures, but Michael contributed nine while junior Chris Coston and Johnson added six. Cole also grabbed 13 rebounds, while Michael pulled down 10.
Harris led the Lions with 24 points, while Khalil White scored 13.
Frostburg returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Mary Washington at 3:00 pm.
