Frostburg State University Athletics

CLARION, Pa. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team dropped a narrow road contest 77-72 to Clarion on Saturday afternoon.
 
CU got out to a fast start on a made layup and three, though FSU responded through juniors Sebastian Gahse and Koby Baptiste, matching the scores at 5-5. As the Golden Eagles continued to make shots, junior Robby Williams was there to hit back for the Bobcats, recording a pull-up jumper and a trey, with redshirt sophomore Justin Roseme earning a quick steal-and-score to tie things up at 12 apiece at the first media timeout.
 
Both teams struggled for offense over the next couple minutes, with Clarion knocking down back-to-back shots and freshman Vilius Slanina converting an and-one for Frostburg to stay within a point. CU kept putting the pressure on FSU, trying to pull away but not being able to thanks to Gahse and Williams both converting their three-point opportunities at the foul line. Williams then hit a driving layup and a smooth jumper to give the Bobcats their first lead at 27-23 with under 10 minutes until the half.
 
The Golden Eagles stopped the run, first at the free throw line, then putting home a dunk and layup in quick succession to go with another pair at the charity stripe for a 34-29 lead, holding FSU scoreless for over two and a half minutes. Junior JayShaun Freeman broke the duck with a driving layup, then senior Cole Harshman and Roseme scored Frostburg's next six to regain the lead 37-35 in the final three minutes. Clarion would only allow one more Bobcat basket the rest of the way, with Slanina scoring a late layup, as the hosts went on a late run to take a 44-39 lead at the half.
 
CU opened the second half with a triple and layup either side of a Gahse jam, followed by another shot from range, extending their advantage to 52-41. Williams and Gahse combined for three buckets to keep Frostburg within touching distance, then freshman Logan Lewis grabbed Williams' miss for a putback score to bring the deficit back to 54-50. Lewis nabbed another offensive board to pull within three, then neither side could buy a basket until senior Jaylon Johnson drained a three with 11 minutes left to make it a 57-57 game.
 
Clarion scored back-to-back shots, with Gahse and Roseme hitting back with makes of their own, followed by Johnson getting to the cup and Williams converting his chances at the line to put Frostburg ahead 65-61. The Golden Eagles used a pair of layups and free throws either side of a Baptiste lay-in to take the lead back 69-67 in the last three minutes. Johnson tied from the line, but CU scored on their next three possessions while forcing stops defensively, leading 75-69 in the final minute and a half.
 
Williams was fouled on a three-point attempt, as he converted each at the stripe to get within three, but a Clarion turnaround basket kept them in the lead by five. The Bobcats weren't able to get a shot to fall in the final minute, as two freebies by the Golden Eagles gave them the final 77-72 victory.
 
FSU was led by Williams' game-high 22 points, while Gahse chipped in with 13. Roseme and Johnson helped in the defensive effort, with each recording three steals, while freshman Malcolm Day put up a pair of blocks.
 
With the loss, Frostburg falls to 0-2 on the year, while Clarion improves to 1-1. Next up, the Bobcats play their home opener against Shepherd on Wednesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.