SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball used an outstanding offensive second quarter to down Notre Dame (Ohio) 88-75 on the road Saturday afternoon, the team's second-most points scored this season.
The Falcons opened up the game scoring on an offensive putback that would lead to an and-one. Frostburg was unable to score on their first two possessions, allowing NDC to go up 5-0 in the first few minutes of play. Freshman Emilee Weakley would put the Bobcats on the board as she hit a three almost two minutes into the game, but the Falcons would continue to put the ball in the basket on each possession, jumping out to a 7-3 lead. FSU would come within two on a three point play by Weakley before a layup by senior Arianna Briggs-Hall would tie the game up at eight apiece before the Falcons went back up by three. NDC would keep their momentum going, taking their lead to 18-12 after one.
Senior Maggie Sharp hit the first shot to open the second quarter, connecting from behind the arc, but FSU would go on an almost three-minute scoring drought, finding themselves down 22-15. The Bobcats would soon tie it up at 22 after a layup by Briggs-Hall, back-to-back layups by Weakley, and a free throw by senior Ciara Thomas. The offense sparked defensive pressure, as FSU got out to a four point lead, with Weakley going two for two from the free throw line and Thomas scoring an easy layup on an inbound underneath the basket. The Bobcats continued to grow their lead, scoring off every Falcon turnover and miss. NDC finally was able to put the ball in the basket at the 3:23 mark, ending a 17-0 Frostburg run, before Weakley responded with another perfect trip from the charity stripe to put them up by 10, 34-24. Sharp could not miss from behind the arc in the second quarter, going three for three on triples, while also converting a four point-play on one of them. The Bobcats outscored the Falcons 34-8 in the quarter and found themselves up 46-26 to end the half.
FSU shot 92.3% from the field in the second quarter, making 12 of their 13 shots. Frostburg was also 4-for-4 from the three point line and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Weakley led all scorers at the half with 18, while Sharp was right behind her with 15.
Both teams exchanged turnovers to open the second half and continued to exchange layups for the first few minutes. FSU was able to go up 56-32, their largest lead of the game, when Weakley continued her offensive spark by hitting a mid-range jumper. NDC was able to score two straight baskets to get back within 20 with 5:20 left to go in the third, eventually winding the deficit down 18 and 16, but the Bobcats would quickly answer, upping their lead back to 20. Notre Dame connected on four straight free throws to get back within 18 to end the third quarter 64-48 in favor of Frostburg.
The Falcons opened the scoring in the fourth, putting one of two in from the free throw line and getting an offensive rebound on the next possession for an easy putback. FSU was scoreless for the first minute and found their lead cut down to 12, but Weakley was able to put the Bobcats on the board at the 8:48 mark, converting a three point play off a layup. She was then able to connect from long distance to put Frostburg up 70-54, followed by Sharp hitting another three for her 20th point of the night, building the Bobcat lead back up to 19. The Falcons started to get some energy on offense, as they were able to get some offensive boards and some easy putbacks, while also connecting from behind the arc. NDC found themselves back within 12 with 1:40 left to play, but once again Sharp silenced their momentum with another three, this time from the corner. Notre Dame was forced to play the foul game, hoping to get the ball back, but FSU was able to knock down their free throws in the final seconds of the game and come out with an 88-75 win.
Frostburg ended the game shooting 57.7% from the field and 53.3% from downtown. Weakley finished with a new career-high 39 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her 16th double-double of the season. Her 39 points is the fifth-most in a single game in program history. Sharp also finished with a career-high in points, dropping 25 while going 5-of-7 from behind the arc and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Briggs-Hall came close to a triple-double, as she added 10 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and dished out a career-high eight assists. Her eight assists are the most in a game for the Bobcats since 2020.
With the win, FSU has now won two games in a row and goes to 7-17 on the season, as NDC falls to 6-18. The Bobcats will return home to face West Liberty on Wednesday, Feb 15 for a 5:30 PM tip-off, where it will be the team's pink game to raise awareness for breast cancer. For more information and updates please visit frostburgsports.com.
