FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State women's basketball team dropped their Saturday home game against Wheeling 72-63.
The Bobcats came out looking to score inside, as junior Jenna Muha scored the first bucket for FSU on a layup. After a slow offensive start from both sides, the Bobcats went up four after made shots by sophomores Ayla Hileman and Laekyn Flinn. Frostburg used the momentum to build a lead, going up 15-6 after a made three by sophomore Julie Spinelli. Flinn finished the quarter off with a basket to make the score 17-8 FSU.
The Bobcats came out and had their best quarter of the game, scoring 26 points and shooting 66% from the field. Sophomore Sydney Snyder knocked down a three off the bench to make the score 21-11 before Spinelli scored three straight for Frostburg, with the last being and old fashioned three-point play to go up 28-15. The Cardinals would trade baskets with Frostburg the rest of the way, hitting a three at the end of the frame to cut the halftime FSU lead to 43-32.
The Cardinals would come out of the locker room playing well, taking 13 of the first 15 points and tying the game at 45-45 while limiting the Bobcat offense. Hileman would get fouled on back-to-back attempts and make all four foul shots, tying the game at 49-49. Freshman Ella Sabatos then got in on the action, getting a couple chances at getting a putback to fall, then scored again running the floor for a fast break layup after a Hileman steal. After a late WU jumper, Hileman split a trip to the line to hold a narrow 56-55 advantage headed to the fourth.
Wheeling would knock down a three on their first shot to take the lead. Muha would make a pair of foul shots followed by a three from Snyder before FSU would go on a seven-minute scoreless drought. During the run, the Cardinals found their offensive groove, going up by as many as 11. Spinelli made two free throws late to make the final score 72-63 Cardinals.
Spinelli led FSU with 21 points, followed closely by Hileman's 19, as the pair combined for five steals.
With the loss, Frostburg is now 7-7 on the season and 4-4 in Mountain East Conference play, while WU improves to 7-7 and 3-4. The Bobcats will next host Salem (WV) on Wednesday, January 14 for a 5:30 PM start. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
