FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball Team fell to Pitt-Johnstown on day two of the Jim Crawley Tournament by a score of 62-60 in the last few seconds of the game.
Both teams were ready to play, coming off wins from the night before. UPJ put up points on the board, hitting a three in the first ten seconds of play. Freshman Jenna Muha hit a jump shot moments later for Frostburg's first points of the game. The Mountain Cats were sent to the free throw line and went one for two for their next points of the game. Freshman Alanna Tate went on a scoring run herself, putting five points on the board for a 7-4 FSU lead. Muha and Tate combined for the Bobcats next nine points, while UPJ had seven, bringing the game to 16-11. Just before the quarter ended, graduate Maggie Sharp pulled up in the paint, knocking down her first point of the game, allowing Frostburg to lead 18-14 going into the second.
UPJ scored the first four points of the new quarter, tying the game 18-18. Freshmen Jenna Liska and Mandy Roman answered back with four more for FSU, jumping back in front 22-18. Scores went back and forth, until senior Mackenzie Freeze hit two jump shots, increasing the Frostburg's lead to six. On defense, the Bobcats created a turnover and took the ball down to their end, as Sharp found Roman open for three. Once again, Sharp hit the last bucket of the quarter, sending FSU into the locker room winning 34-25 at the half.
Coming out of half time, Frostburg found their offensive spark, as Tate, Muha, and Sharp combined for eleven points, giving FSU their greatest lead on the day, 45-28. The Mountain Cats slowly started to come back, as they hit majority of their shots inside and outside the paint. UPJ was still down at the end of the quarter 49-42, but decreased the scoring gap to seven.
UPJ hit a free throw to kick things off in the fourth, starting their run that crept them back into the game only down by three, 53-50. Tate had another two to up FSU's lead 55-50. Muha and Tate combined for FSU's last five points while the Mountain Cats hit three after three tying the game 60-60. With a few seconds left on the clock, UPJ hit an off-balance layup giving them the 62-60 advantage. FSU was able to throw the ball in and get a long shot off but it fell short, allowing UPJ to secure the comeback victory.Â
Frostburg won the battle on the glass 32-29 and went 11/11 from the free throw line. Tate finished the game with 20 points and six rebounds, while Muha finished with 19 and eight. Sharp and Roman both had seven points, while Freeze contributed five.
To conclude the tournament, Tate and Sharp were named to the All-Tournament team, alongside Anete Bluma (Salem), Amaya Tucker (Winston-Salem State), and Peyton Alazaus (UPJ). UPJ's Cassidy Crawford was named the Tournament MVP. Â
With the conclusion of the game, Frostburg falls to an overall record of 1-1 to start the season, while UPJ moves to an overall record of 2-0. FSU is back in action on Wednesday, November 15 at 5:30 PM to take on Lock Haven on the road. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com.
