SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.VA. – The Frostburg State women's basketball team dropped a road contest Wednesday night to the Shepherd Rams by a score of 71-66. The two sides went back-and-forth throughout in a game that featured eight ties and 11 lead changes. The loss drops the Bobcats to 0-4 on the season, while the Rams improve to 5-0.
The first quarter saw the Bobcats strike first with a layup from junior Jada Holland that helped FSU get off to a strong start. Frostburg led midway through the quarter 11-9 after a three-pointer from graduate student Victoria Diggs put them ahead with 5:05 left in the quarter. Shepherd would turn things around to end the quarter, going on a 15-4 run to take a 25-14 lead into the second stanza.
Shepherd was able to keep its distance from the Bobcats to start the second quarter, maintaining a double digit lead through the first three minutes of the quarter. Frostburg would flip the switch at the 7:06 mark, as a 12-3 run that was bookended by two buckets from senior Amanda Emory helped close the Bobcat deficit to 31-28. Shepherd would score the final four points of the quarter to take a seven point halftime lead.
Frostburg State opened the second half on fire, going on an 8-0 run in the first 2:31 of the third quarter to take their first lead since the opening moments of the game. After Shepherd responded to reclaim the lead, a lay-in from Emory and back-to-back threes from sophomore Morgan Dombroski and first-year Ciara Thomas gave the Bobcats a 45-39 lead with 4:47 left in the third quarter. Shepherd crept back once again to take the lead back, but the Bobcats would end the quarter with the advantage thanks to a three from Ciara Thomas and two free throws from Diggs. All told, the quarter featured five lead changes and three ties as Frostburg State grasped onto a 53-51 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Frostburg's lead would grow to 58-51, as a Holland layup, followed by made a free throw from Thomas and two more points from the charity stripe for Holland pushed the lead to seven. Shepherd would bounce back by going on a 17-5 run to take the lead back for good. FSU got it back within two with 1:22 left after a made three-pointer from first-year Arianna Briggs-Hall, but the Rams would close it out for the win.
Three Bobcats scored in double figures, with both Diggs and Emory leading the way with 13 points apiece. Holland registered her second double-double of the season by collecting 12 points to go along with 15 boards.
Frostburg State opens MEC play this Saturday, November 23 when it hosts West Virginia Wesleyan in a game that will be played at Allegany College of Maryland. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. For more information go to www.frostburgsports.com.
