WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team returned from their holiday break in dramatic fashion, taking down District of Columbia 78-76 in the final seconds to secure a road victory.
 
FSU began the game with made baskets on their first three trips down the floor, as junior Jason Murphy got an early tip-in and graduate Juston Bailey knocked down a pair of jumpers for a 6-4 lead. The Firebirds locked in defensively and held the Bobcats to just three points in the next three minutes, using a pair of threes themselves to go up 14-9. UDC maintained their advantage at 19-13 until the 12-minute mark of the half, when Murphy and junior Tairell Fletcher scored back-to-back layups to bring Frostburg within four.
 
Senior Agyei Edwards and Bailey both made buckets a few minutes later, but the Firebirds scored six unanswered to get up to a double-digit lead at 33-23. Edwards made a pair of layups inside the final three minutes, then Bailey hit FSU's lone triple of the half to bring the game back to 36-33. The Bobcats couldn't capitalize on the late momentum, however, as UDC got a mid-range shot to go at the buzzer to go into the half up 40-34.
 
Edwards opened the second half with another two buckets, but again the Firebirds were quick to respond with a three and a layup to maintain a seven-point advantage. Murphy and Fletcher began to take over the offense, combining for Frostburg's next nine points, then Edwards split a trip to the free throw line to bring the contest to 52-48. Schene hit a key jumper inside the 10-minute mark, then Fletcher got the momentum swinging in the Bobcats' direction with a steal and a thunderous jam to tie the game, with Edwards converting on an and-one opportunity for the first FSU lead since 18:25 remaining in the first half.
 
UDC called timeout and settled themselves down, making a series of layups to regain the lead at 66-63. Junior Jaylin Albury went perfect at the charity stripe after getting fouled, then Edwards scored a transition layup to retake the lead with just over five minutes remaining. Murphy carried the scoring for the next couple minutes, using his 6'8 frame to convert back-to-back layups, then was fed a dunk by Edwards for a 73-69 score with two and a half minutes left. The Firebirds still were able to have their say late on, holding the Bobcats scoreless for a minute and a half and regaining the lead at 75-73.
 
Fletcher came up clutch inside the final minute, charging down the lane to make a layup whilst being fouled, then completing the old-fashioned three-point play for a one-point lead. He was then whistled for a foul on the defensive end, putting the Firebirds at the line with a chance to take the lead, but Hartnel Haye could only manage a split for a nervy final 30 seconds. Head Coach Sean Brown, Sr. called timeout with 12 seconds left and drew up what he hoped would be the winning play, which was ran to perfection as Schene fed a driving Fletcher to convert at the basket and put Frostburg ahead 78-76 with four seconds remaining. A late UDC three fell off the mark to give FSU its second consecutive last-minute win against the Firebirds on the road.
 
Murphy led the Bobcats in a double-double performance with 20 points and a game-high 11 boards, while also blocking three shots. Edwards was close behind on 18 points and a team-high seven assists to go with three steals, while Fletcher added 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in an all-round performance.
 
With the win, Frostburg improves to 5-7 on the year, while UDC falls to 3-9. The Bobcats return to home comforts on Wednesday, January 4 as they kick off the new year against Notre Dame (Ohio) at 7:30 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.