FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team used a strong offensive performance to defeat Salem (WV) at home 111-95.
Both teams scored within the first minute, as SU hit a mid-range jumper while sophomore Trey Simmons was found cutting to the rim by graduate Kyle Whippen. Back-to-back Tiger baskets gave them an early four-point lead, however Simmons got to the line while FSU's defense came up with a trio of blocks, including two by Whippen, who made a layup, as Daniel fed Simmons for a dunk in transition before making a jumper in the lane to go up 10-6.
Over the next three minutes, the sides traded scores, as Daniel hit a pair of mid-range shots and a free throw, while freshman Mitch Finefrock knocked down his first triple of the game and sophomore Christopher Meakin earned a steal and layup in transition, as Salem answered every step of the way, getting back-to-back long twos to fall for an 18-16 score. Frostburg began to pick up their pace, as Daniel passed to redshirt sophomore Blake Burrows and Finefrock for three combined makes from behind the arc, as Simmons added a trip to the line to grow the lead up to 10 at the midway point of the half.
SU swiftly got themselves back into the game, forcing a pair of turnovers while making threes either side of a dunk to get back within two. Simmons broke a two-minute scoring drought by grabbing an offensive board and hitting a triple, then Daniel provided a spark with a steal and slam before Meakin drove into the lane and Simmons again stole the ball, converting an and-one in the process to lead 39-30. Much of the next two minutes was played at the foul line, with the teams combining for five made freebies, as Daniel again woke the game up, being found by Meakin and jamming home to keep an eight-point lead.
Another charity stripe visit by Simmons was followed by a block and score from Daniel, growing the lead up to 48-36. Salem was able to get to the cup and traded baskets with Meakin hoping to stay within arms' length before going into the break, but the Bobcat offense exploded for 12 points in two minutes. Daniel got things started with a step-back three, then immediately got a steal and dunk while Simmons took advantage of a Meakin steal, netting back-to-back buckets before Finefrock fired from way beyond the three-point line, ending the frame up 63-43.
The first 90 seconds of the second half featured more back-and-forth scoring, as the Tigers earned a three-point trip to the line followed by a putback layup, as FSU countered with a Finefrock three and a Simmons steal-and-score. In contrast, the next two minutes featured just two made field goals, both from SU, as they hoped to get back into the game at 68-52. Frostburg's offense wouldn't let them get much closer, as Daniel pulled up from deep again before feeding Meakin to lead 73-54 after five minutes.
Salem continued to try and fight back, as they went on a quick 8-3 run over a two-minute stretch, getting back to within 14, but three consecutive Bobcat baskets cut the momentum short, as Daniel had a putback and Burrows and Meakin got steals that led to Simmons and Daniel finishing home for an 82-62 score. Continuing to pour in points, junior Zane McCarty joined the action with a pair of right-wing threes, as Burrows fed Simmons to grow the lead to 23.
The Tigers scored nine of the next eleven looking for some late momentum, but again Frostburg responded with a run of their own. Meakin got to the line before swatting away a shot, as Whippen and Simmons went for back-to-back lay-ins. A Simmons triple got FSU over the century mark, as Whippen then drove the lane twice either side of a Daniel trey to make things 108-85. Both sides emptied their benches in the final two minutes, as SU scored 10 in a row, however the Bobcats ended the scoring with redshirt freshman Max McFarland being found by freshman Chris Cochran from deep for the 111-95 final.
Simmons led all scorers with 34 points, going a perfect 12-for-12 from the floor and 7-of-7 at the line. Daniel had one of his best games in a Frostburg uniform, putting in a triple-double of 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading all players in each of the latter two categories while also adding a trio of blocks and a pair of steals. Finefrock (18) and Meakin (10) also reached double-figure scoring, as Whippen flirted with a double-double on nine points and seven boards.
With the win, FSU improves to 8-7 on the year, while Salem drops to 6-8. The Bobcats will next hit the road to face Point Park on Saturday, January 17 at 4 p.m. Information and udpates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.
