WASHINGTON, D.C.- Frostburg State Men's Basketball won a close, low-scoring affair with the University of the District of Columbia, using three late free throws to win 64-63 on the road.
 
The Firebirds started out quickly, scoring the game's first five points, as Frostburg got on the board three minutes in with a three-pointer from graduate Jihar Williams, who would end up scoring FSU's first eight points, as a layup and another three gave Frostburg their first lead at 8-7. Junior Torrin Stephens then went on his own scoring run, getting the next six to put the Bobcat lead at 14-9.
 
Several scorers stepped up throughout the half, including sophomore Sean Brown, Jr., who made a three to extend the lead to 26-17. UDC then resorted to a zone defense that was successful in limiting Frostburg's offense, as the Firebirds were able to take a 29-28 lead into the half.
 
Starting out the second half, UDC slightly extended the lead to 36-32 as both teams struggled to find offense, which ended on a huge slam dunk from freshman Justin Roseme. The Firebirds again went on a scoring burst to take a 49-40 lead, their largest of the game. From there, Frostburg started their comeback with an and-one from junior Juston Bailey, followed by three straight threes from Williams to take a 52-51 lead. Junior Bo Schene added a three-pointer and Roseme scored back-to-back buckets to compete the turnaround and give FSU a 59-55 lead.
 
Both teams locked in for the final three minutes of the game, which started with a pair of free throws from junior Agyei Edwards, followed by a Firebird layup to take the score to 61-59 Frostburg. Neither side scored for a minute and a half as both defenses wouldn't allow anything easy. Another UDC layup tied the score at 61 apiece, then a couple more stops gave the Firebirds a chance to take the lead from the free throw line with 11 seconds remaining. Jahmir Marable-Williams knocked down both shots to give UDC the lead 63-61. FSU got the inbound over half court and head coach Sean Brown, Sr. took a timeout to set up a play to try and win the game. The Bobcats worked their play, and the ball found its way to Stephens in the corner for a three, from which he was fouled on an aggressive closeout. He knocked down each free throw, including nailing the last one after the Firebirds tried to ice him at the line with a timeout. UDC's last-second heave was nowhere near the basket, as Frostburg came out 64-63 winners, their third win in a row.
 
Williams led FSU in scoring with 18 points, including 5-9 from three, while Stephens joined him in double figures with 10, going 8-10 from the charity stripe. Schene stuffed the box score, leading the Bobcats with five assists and seven rebounds while adding a steal.
 
The win puts Frostburg at 5-7 on the year, while the Firebirds fall to 2-9. The Bobcats return to action Wednesday, January 5, when they travel to Notre Dame (Ohio) for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. For information and updates stay tuned at frostburgsports.com.