RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team overcame an early double-digit deficit with a 58-point second half in a 96-87 road victory over Felician Saturday night.
FSU was ice cold from the field to start the game, as the Golden Falcons were able to get out to a 7-2 lead, from which graduate Juston Bailey finally got the Bobcats' first field goal on a much-needed three. Felician answered right back with an 18-4 run to take a commanding lead at 25-9, as Frostburg continued to miss their shots. Senior Agyei Edwards was able to kick the team into gear, as he made a three on an assist from graduate Vincent Smalls, followed by Smalls making a layup, redshirt junior Jason Murphy flushing down a dunk, and junior Cole Harshman draining a three to suddenly get FSU within single digits at 28-21.
The Bobcats continued to pound the ball inside, as Murphy took over with a pair of layups, including the latter being an and-one for an old-fashion three-point play and making the score 30-26. Frostburg's defense also stepped up during the run, holding the Golden Falcons scoreless for almost four full minutes, from which the offense continued to generate points. Edwards stole a pass and fed an easy layup to Smalls, then Murphy had another slam and Harshman drilled a triple to bring the Bobcats all the way within one. After junior Jaylin Albury split a pair of free throws, junior Tairell Fletcher gave FSU its first lead at 36-34 with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Felician finally recovered from their lack of scoring through the half, ending the period with three straight layups to re-take the lead 43-38 at halftime.
Each team took their chances to start the second half, with Frostburg consistently getting to the rim on buckets from Murphy, Smalls, Fletcher, and Harshman as they were able to withstand an early Golden Falcon three to make the game 48-47. Felician was able to swing some momentum back in their direction, pushing to a six-point lead that was thwarted by three straight Fletcher jumpers and another Harshman three to give FSU the lead back at 64-63. With just over seven minutes on the clock, Albury ripped down a rebound and fed Fletcher on a fastbreak for a massive dunk in transition, then Smalls turned defense into offense with a steal and layup.
The Golden Falcons continued to push back every time it seemed the Bobcats could pull away, maintaining a 77-75 lead despite a three from Edwards and a pair of Fletcher jumpers. Edwards nailed another from downtown and Murphy secured his own miss to convert on a basket plus the foul, then Smalls got into the lane for a tough layup to cap an 8-0 run with Frostburg in the lead 83-79 as the clock ticked inside two minutes. Felician hit a three, but Albury responded with a score in the paint, then Fletcher came up with a huge steal and score while being fouled in the process and making his plus-one free throw. Edwards put the icing on the cake with a clutch three to put FSU up 91-82, then he and Fletcher were perfect from the charity stripe down the stretch for the final 96-87 victory.
The Bobcats finished with five players in double figures, led by Fletcher's 26 on 10-for-17 shooting, followed by Edwards and Murphy with 18, Harshman's 13, and Smalls scoring 10. Albury had an unconventional double-double in a stat-stuffing night, dishing out 10 assists and nabbing 10 rebounds, both career-highs.
With the win, Frostburg improves to 3-3 on the season, while Felician falls to 3-2. FSU is back in action on Wednesday, November 30 as they return to Bobcat Arena at 7:30 PM for a contest against West Virginia State. Information and updates will be posted at frostburgsports.com.
