FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State men's basketball team dropped their Saturday home game against Wheeling 115-98.
The first basket of the game came from sophomore Trey Simmons on a great pass from graduate Kyle Whippen before redshirt freshman DJ Daniel drove the lane for a quick 4-0 lead. The Cardinals would find their rhythm offensively, scoring three from behind the arc as well as an old-fashioned three-point play to get out to a 14-6 lead. Daniel hit a triple and Simmons got to the rim to close the gap to three, as the sides went through five-minute stretch exchanging baskets until a 31-27 WU advantage.
Another stretch would go by with the sides trading free throws and a pair of layups, as freshman Mitch Finefrock hit from deep to keep within striking distance at a five-point deficit. The Cardinals would then find more offensive momentum, building their lead up to 52-42 with just under three to go until the half. The sides went back-and-forth down the stretch, as sophomore Christopher Meakin and Simmons went four-of-four at the line while WU made a pair of threes and a mid-range jumper to lead 63-51 at the break.
After scoring the first four points of the second half, Wheeling couldn't seem to miss through the first five minutes, expanding their lead to 20 before Simmons would find junior Vilius Slanina open for three to make things 76-59. Simmons then scored himself from deep while Finefrock did the same and Slanina got a steal and lay-in to bring things to 83-67. After a Finefrock put in another from behind the arc and Simmons got into the lane to cut the deficit to 13, WU found their gear once more. Daniel fed Finefrock for a trey while Whippen took advantage of the former's steal, but consistent Cardinal offense kept them ahead 101-83 with six minutes to go. FSU wouldn't get any closer the rest of the way, as Wheeling maintained a consistent lead until the 115-98 final.
Simmons tied for the game lead with 30 points, while Daniel (23) and Finefrock (17) would each also score in double figures.
With the loss, Frostburg is now 7-7 on the season and 4-4 in Mountain East Conference play, as Wheeling moves to 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the MEC. The Bobcats will host Salem (WV) on Wednesday, January 14 for a 7:30 PM start. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
