FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team hung on for the 112-107 home victory over Salem on Wednesday evening. 
 
Frostburg started off hot, with junior Jaden Baker hitting a three to get the crowd going, with senior JayShaun Freeman and junior Chase Whippen setting FSU up for a 10-0 lead in the first minute and a half.  Salem was finally able to get one to go just over two minutes in, but Freeman hit a three to move the game to 13-2.  Senior Eric Sondberg picked up a block on the defensive end, but the Tigers were able to capitalize, going on a 6-0 run to get back in the game with a 13-8 score.  SU worked to sneak up on the Bobcats lead 14-12, but two free throws from freshman Trey Simmons put Frostburg back up by four.  Salem took back two free throws, but keeping the momentum for FSU was senior Naphtali Reglius, who nailed a three from deep to put the Bobcats back on top 19-14.  Baker and Freeman stayed hot to build Frostburg's lead to nine, but the Tigers worked to get their deficit to 26-25 right under the midway mark of the first. 
 
After both teams were quiet for a whole minute, Salem took a two-point lead, but only for a second, before a duo of scores from FSU put the Bobcats back in control 29-28.  Both teams fought for the lead as time ticked down in the first, with a triple from Simmons giving Frostburg a one-point advantage.  Salem answered with a three of their own to go back on top 35-33, but Freeman provided four straight points to move FSU back in front 37-35 with 4:15 left in the half.  Two free throws from SU tied the game at 37, before senior Koby Baptiste sunk his two attempts at the line for another Bobcat edge.  Simmons kept Frostburg in the lead with a slam off a fastbreak, but both teams continued to exchange leads as time finished out.  Sondberg and Freeman hit clutch threes as the half came to a close, guiding FSU to a 49-45 edge at the break. 
 
Whippen got things started in the second, working his way to a layup in the paint.  Salem responded with a tip-in of their own to stay within four, as Sondberg sprung for five points of his own for a 56-49 Frostburg advantage.  The Tigers were able to provide two layups on their own end, but Whippen kept FSU ahead with a perfect trip from the free throw line.  SU shot for a 6-0 run to get within two once again, but another dunk from Simmons kept the Bobcats going for a 61-57 lead.  Baptiste earned a few points for Frostburg at the charity stripe over the span of two attempts, but SU was able to sneak their way back into a tie game at 62 with 13:13 left to play. 
 
Another two underneath from Whippen put Frostburg ahead, but a jumper from Salem tied the game once again.  Both teams fought for the lead over the next few minutes, with both squads connecting on shots for a tie game.  With under 10 to play, Baker nailed back-to-back triples to push FSU in front 77-73, as the Bobcats put in more at the foul line to extend their lead to six.  Baptiste and Freeman went back-and-forth with Salem for a full minute of action, helping the Bobcats maintain an 84-77 edge.  SU sparked for back-to-back threes to get within one, but McCarty had an answer of his own, hitting a triple for another four-point Frostburg lead.   Baker splurged for five-points of his own, converting an and-one to keep the crowd roaring on FSU's side.  The Tigers then collected themselves for seven consecutive points for their score, getting the game to 94-92 with under five to play.  Regilus sunk his two free throw attempts, as Salem put up a layup on the other end.  Baker worked his way to a duo of huge layups to get the score to 100-94, but again SU brought the game within three.  Baptiste and Baker both traded scores with the Tigers, but back-to-back buckets from Baker and Whippen saw a 106-100 lead for Frostburg with 1:05 left.  SU put in one final layup before they were forced to foul, as Baker, Freeman, and Regilus combined for six free points at the charity stripe, helping Frostburg take the 112-107 win. 
 
Baker led all scorers with 33 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Freeman was next with 22 points, knocking down five threes.  Baptiste, Whippen, and Simmons all finished with 13 points each, with Baptiste pulling down a massive 17 rebounds. 
 
With the win, Frostburg goes to 11-14 on the season, while Salem falls to 5-20.  The Bobcats go on the road for their next contest, facing Point Park on Saturday, February 22 at 4 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.