FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball team capped off the Jim Crawley Conference Challenge with a 63-59 victory over Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday afternoon. 
 
UPJ laid in the first points of the game on their first possession, as a shot from behind the arch quickly put the Mountain Cats up 5-0.  Freshman Julie Spinelli was able to get Frostburg on the board over a minute into the game, with a scoop layup in the paint.  Pitt-Johnston continued their impressive start, as senior Emilee Weakley found herself open up top for a knock down trey to see the game at 8-5.  Both teams swapped turnovers and steals over the next few minutes, as two free throws from Weakley brought the Bobcats within two.  UPJ battled to stay in front, before another pair of free throws from Weakley tied the game at 10 apiece.  The Mountain Cats ended the quarter with a 9-4 run, as senior Harley Herdon sunk two more three free throws for FSU to put the game at 19-14 after the first. 
 
Herndon quickly found sophomore Jena Muha under the basket for Frostburg's first score of the second, as the Bobcats fought to get within three.  Herndon was again credited with an assist, as Weakley delivered a layup to see the score at 23-22.  Still battling to stay in front, Pitt-Johnstown hit a three on their next trip down the court, advancing their lead to 26-22.  Weakley and freshman Ayla Hileman, who secured her first points in a FSU uniform, kept the Bobcats close, but the Mountain Cats fought to stay just one step ahead.  Weakley drove to the basket once more, as graduate Sarah Shamdeen scooped in a last second layup to end the half 34-31 in favor of UPJ. 
 
Pitt-Johnstown poured in the first points of the third, with Weakley sinking a jumper to keep Frostburg within three.  The Mountain Cats jumped ahead by five, before a three-pointer from senior Taylor Smith brought the game to 38-36.  Both teams traded points and turnovers, with Weakley picking up a steal, as Smith then put in a layup to keep the contest a two-point game.  As time ticked down in the third, senior Jasmine Johnson kept her hands active on defense, picking up a steal as well, that set up Weakley for a perfect trip from the charity stripe to put the game at 42-42 with around 2:30 left in the quarter.  UPJ jumped back in front off two jumpers, holding on to a 46-43 advantage heading into the fourth and final quarter. 
 
A duo of free throws from Weakley off a fastbreak brought FSU within one, but still the Mountain Cats would not budge when it came to their lead.  A knock down jumper from Smith again brought the score to a one-point margin, before Spinelli secured a mid-range bucket to give FSU a 49-48 lead with 7:12 left in regulation.  The Bobcats connected on both sides of the ball, causing a turnover and a miss from Pitt-Johnstown, before Shamdeen sunk two free throws to increase Frostburg's advantage to three.  UPJ, not done yet, hit a three followed by a layup, to tie the game before taking a two-point lead with under five to go.  Looking to rally, Weakley put in another layup to tie things up, but the Mountain Cats marched right down and connected from behind the arc to go right back on top.  An easy two from Muha brought the Bobcats within one, as two free throws from Weakley again put FSU in the lead.  When they needed it most, everything started to click for Frostburg, as Weakley racked up two more points and Johnson grabbed a huge offensive board to deliver the putback that allowed the score to read 61-56 in favor of the Bobcats with one minute left in the game.  UPJ was able to secure a bucket in the paint, but a one-for-two trip from the free throw line for the Mountain Cats kept FSU in front by two.  Pitt-Johnstown was able to cough up a big turnover from Frostburg, but FSU was able to do the same thing on their defensive end off an UPJ inbound, as the Mountain Cats were forced to foul to get the ball back, sending Weakley to the line where she knocked down two more free throws to help Frostburg take the 63-59 victory. 
 
Weakley led all scorers with 31 points on 9-for-18 shooting and 12-for-14 from the foul line, while securing her second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds as well.  Muha and Smith were next with seven points each, as Muha pulled down four boards and Smith dished out four assists. 
 
With the win, Frostburg starts the season 2-0, while UPJ begins their season 0-2.  The Bobcats next take on Lock Haven on Wednesday, November 13 at home in Bobcat Arena at 5:30 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.