FROSTBURG, Md.- The Frostburg State women's basketball team took on West Virginia Wesleyan in a 57-51 victory at home on Wednesday evening, snapping a nine-game losing streak in the process.  

 

The game started off slow for Frostburg on offense, with WVWC building an early 13-2 lead. FSU then used some defensive stops to work their way back into the game, using a pair of free throws from sophomore Samiya Esema and an and-one from sophomore Brenae Ford to take the teams into the second quarter 13-7.  

 

Ford hit a jumper coming out of the break, then junior Arianna Briggs-Hall hit a layup and redshirt sophomore Kyrsten Joseph nailed a triple to get FSU within one at 15-14. Esema hit a free throw and then a layup to tie the game again at 17, then Frostburg took their first lead on a layup from Briggs-Hall. In the last minute of the half, Briggs-Hall knocked in a pair of free throws and sophomore Niya Moore hit just her second three-pointer of the season with nine seconds remaining to take FSU into the half up 27-23.  

 

Frostburg came out strong in the second half, with layups from Briggs-Hall and senior Shelby Funchess pushing the lead to 31-23. Wesleyan worked their way back to within two at 33-35, with Esema stopping the run on a layup. Both sides went scoreless for a couple minutes, which ended with an Esema layup and free throws from Briggs-Hall and Moore to push the lead back to 43-35. Two late WVWC free throws were answered by Ford at the end of the quarter to put FSU ahead 45-37.  

 

Wesleyan again pushed back their deficit to within four, but Moore responded with another three to keep Frostburg at arms' length, as free throws led to a 55-48 lead with four minutes remaining. WVWC hit a three to get back within four, but neither side made a basket the rest of the way, as Funchess and Ford hit free throws with time running down to come out 57-51 winners.  

 

Esema would end the night tying the game-high in points with 14 and pulling in a team season-high 18 rebounds, while also adding a pair of blocks and steals. Briggs-Hall and Moore joined her in double figures with 13 and 10, respectively, while Moore also had a game-high four steals.  

 

With the win, Frostburg rises to 3-13 while WVWC falls to 2-9 on the season. Frostburg's next contest will take place on the road Saturday, January 22 at 2 PM where they will face Fairmont State. For more information and updates, visit www.frostburgsports.com.