FROSTBURG, Md. – Sophomore Trey Simmons hit a last-second layup to secure Men's Basketball's first-ever victory over Charleston (WV) 80-78 on Thursday evening.
The sides began the game trading points back-and-forth, as UC hit a three to go with a pair of lay-ins, while freshman Mitch Finefrock and sophomore Trey Simmons hit buckets either side of junior Zane McCarty's triple for a 7-7 tie after two and a half minutes. Graduate Kyle Whippen then knocked in a pair of free throws while Simmons scored from deep off redshirt freshman DJ Daniel's assist before also getting to the line to hold a 14-9 advantage.
Charleston came right back with a trio of threes as part of a 9-2 run before redshirt sophomore Blake Burrows hit a much-needed trey of his own to cut the deficit to 20-19 with nine minutes to go. Daniel came up with a block that led to splitting a trip to the stripe before being found by Simmons for a triple, however the Golden Eagles responded to both to hold a three-point lead at the five-minute mark.
Whippen got FSU back to within one with a steal and a pass up court to Finefrock to finish before a flurry of offense 90 seconds later. UC got into the lane for a layup to go with a pair of threes, as Daniel tipped a missed shot back in before slamming home a power dunk, while Whippen also got a putback to go and Simmons drove the lane to bring things to 36-35. A turnover and a missed three by Frostburg allowed Charleston to get a posterizing dunk of their own and a last-second banked in trey to go into the half up 41-35.
The Golden Eagles came out of the break flying on offense, scoring on each of their first three possessions to suddenly go up by 11 within a minute. Daniel calmed things down with a putback and a step-back triple, however a pair of freebies and another dunk kept UC ahead 50-40 after five minutes. Simmons tried to pull the Bobcats back by going a combined three-of-four at the line, while Burrows brought the deficit down to seven after a strong drive to the rim.
After each team split free throws, Whippen got into the lane to get within five, however Charleston answered back with a tip-in and a pair at the stripe to lead 57-48 with just under 10 to go. Following a miss from deep by the Golden Eagles, Simmons nailed back-to-back threes on assists by McCarty and sophomore Christopher Meakin, immediately getting Frostburg to within three. Meakin traded free throws with the visitors, while Daniel got a floater to go in response to a UC layup that brought things to 61-58.
Both teams combined for six free throws over the next minute, with Whippen going four-for-four, as Simmons threw down a dunk that was immediately followed by a Charleston lay-in as they kept their lead at four. With just over four to play, Simmons took control of the offense, getting fouled on a drive and converting both freebies before feeding sophomore Brady Walters on an easy layup, then hit a smooth mid-range jumper followed by yet another pair at the stripe to pull within 73-72.
An offensive rebound led to an and-one for UC as they tried to keep FSU at arms' length, but Simmons kept the home crowd cheering with another triple and an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Bobcats their first second half lead at 78-76. In a frantic final minute, Charleston tied the score after some good ball movement led to a layup, then both sides missed opportunities to take the lead, as a deadball rebound gave possession to Frostburg that brought Head Coach Zack Thomsen's final timeout of the game. Out of the break, Simmons had his number called and again took a strong drive to the basket, finishing home with just over a second left. The Golden Eagles advanced the ball past midcourt and called their last timeout, however their play design was immediately blown up by Walters tipping the ball high in the air as the buzzer sounded for the 80-78 final.
Simmons led all scorers with 36 points while also being FSU's leader in assists and steals at three apiece, as well as a pair of blocks. Daniel earned a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards, while Whippen wasn't far behind on 10 and 8, respectively.
The win broke an 0-11 streak against UC for the Bobcats, as they improved to 5-5 overall and 3-2 in MEC play, while the Golden Eagles dropped to 4-6 and 1-4, respectively. Frostburg will return to action in 2026 on Saturday, January 3 at 4 p.m. against West Virginia State. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.
