FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball team defeated the Salem Tigers at home on Saturday afternoon by a score of 72-63 for another season sweep of an opponent. FSU wore pink uniforms in honor of their Pink Game in support of breast cancer awareness.
Securing the first possession and basket, Salem took a 2-0 lead. Coming up the court, graduate Maggie Sharp found freshman Jenna Muha open under the basket for a 2-2 game and Frostburg's first points of the day. A missed jump shot by the Tigers led to a three for sophomore Emilee Weakley to put the Bobcats up 5-2. On the defensive end, freshman Alanna Tate had a steal for an easy two and a 7-2 score. After not seeing a score for three minutes, the Tigers made a layup to bring the game to 7-4. Muha and Weakley themselves put together a 12 point run, putting FSU up 19-4 with under two to play in the first. Weakley put away another layup while Salem added five to end the first, as the score saw 21-9 in favor of Frostburg.
FSU missed the initial shot to start the second quarter, followed by the Tigers scoring two to bring the game to 21-11. Salem cut it to seven after a made free throw and a bucket as the score read 21-14. Junior Jamine Johnson proceeded to trade baskets with Salem to see the score at 23-16. Junior Harley Herndon stole the ball, passed it up to graduate Ciara Thomas, who found Weakley for two and a 25-16 Bobcat lead. The two teams swapped points for the next few minutes, as Sharp, Weakley, Tate and Muha were all credited with baskets. With under a minute left in the half, freshman Jenna Liska had an offensive board with a put-back for a 36-27 game. Liska from Tate was the last combo of the half, as Frostburg lead 38-27 heading into the break.
Salem came out of the locker room going on a six-point run, making it a five-point game 38-33. Weakley with an offensive rebound and put-back, gave FSU a seven-point lead. Salem cut it to five again, but Muha sinking two free throws put the Bobcats lead back to seven, 42-35. Back-to-back layups for Salem put the Tigers down by three 42-39. Weakley swapped threes with Salem, with the deficit remaining at three 45-42. The Tigers were able to get within one, but freshman Mandy Roman hit a jumper to put FSU on top by three once more. Roman with a steal found senior MacKenzie Freeze on the run, who sent a pass down under to Weakley for another Frostburg bucket and a five point lead. Salem found the basket once more, while Weakley went 6-for-6 from the free throw line to end the third with FSU on top 55-46.
Freeze found Thomas alone under the basket to kick off the fourth to push the Bobcats lead to double digits. Roman with another steal led to Weakley at the line, where she created a 58-46 lead. Liska found herself with a steal and a solo layup toincrease Frostburg's lead to 60-46. A few plays later, Weakley ended up with a steal and an easy layup for a 62-46 score. Salem missed their next basket down, as Roman grabbed the board and took the ball coast-to-coast for two and a 64-46 game. Both teams traded points as time winded out, as Salem hit three trey's in an 11-0 run, but time was in favor of the Bobcats as FSU came out on top 72-63.
Weakley led the team with 36 points on 10-for-19 shooting and 14-for-16 from the free throw line, while also collecting seven rebounds and six steals. Muha finished with 11 points, seven boards, and a block. Roman, Thomas, and Liska respectfully contributed six points each, as Tate led the team with three assists. Frostburg ended with 13 total steals.
With the conclusion of today's contest, Frostburg moves to an overall record of 17-9 while Salem falls to an overall record of 4-22. The Bobcats are back in action at home on Wednesday, February 28 at 5:30 PM for Senior Night as they host Davis & Elkins. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com.
