FROSTBURG, Md – The Frostburg State women's basketball team defeated Salem (WV) at home by a final score of 68-57.
FSU began the scoring with sophomore Ayla Hileman hitting from deep, as she was matched by a Tiger three. From that point, the Bobcat defense locked down and freshman Zaria Gaskins knocked down another triple before sophomore Julie Spinelli and junior Jenna Muha scored their first buckets of the game on layups to put Frostburg up 10-3. After a two and a half minute scoring drought from both teams, Muha backed her way down to another score before feeding a great pass to Hileman for three more, as the former also keyed in defensively with a steal and a block. Sophomore Laekyn Flinn then found Spinelli for a corner three and a 15-point advantage before SU netted their first basket in seven minutes for an 18-5 score. Spinelli then converted at the line and the Tigers hit from behind the arc, as with five seconds remaining, Flinn turned provider once more, this time to sophomore Sydney Snyder for a smooth trey to end the quarter leading 23-8 going into the second.
Junior Riley Nelson hit a mid-range floater to start the scoring in the second, with Salem converting at the line and Snyder nailing another three to go up 28-10. After a layup from Muha answered a Tiger triple, FSU went through a three-minute scoreless stretch. During the drought, the Tigers were able to fight their way back, netting a couple layups as well as a pair at the line, pulling to within 30-19 with four minutes to go. Hileman ended the run when she knocked down another three, with Gaskins assisting, however SU answered again with back-to-back buckets and making the score 33-23. Spinelli then drove the lane and converted a much-needed and-one, however Salem again hit right back from deep, while freshman Ella Sabatos grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the putback, as Salem ended the half splitting a trip to the stripe to give FSU a 38-27 halftime lead.
The Bobcats made the first three shots to open the third quarter, with Hileman hitting a pull-up shot on a pass from Gaskins before Spinelli hit a jumper of her own followed by a layup to move ahead 44-27. Frostburg's defense continued to stifle Salem, as the visitors didn't make a basket until midway through the period. FSU, however, also struggled from the floor, going the final seven minutes without making a field goal. The sides went back-and-forth, as the Bobcats would lean on its foul shooting going 5-of-6 between Hileman and Muha, as the latter kept the double-digit lead at 49-35. The Tigers were able to control the final two minutes, holding FSU scoreless while making a layup, a free throw, and a three to cut the deficit all the way down to 49-41 headed to the fourth.
Spinelli would open the final frame with an old-fashioned three-point play, while Salem made another from behind the arc and Sabatos was found by Gaskins in trading layups to close out the high-scoring opening minute at 54-46. A three, a jumper, and a layup either side of Hileman free throws got SU to within five on a trio of occasions, however a Muha lay-in and Spinelli triple off Gaskins passes would keep Frostburg ahead 61-53. Flinn would give the Bobcats a boost off the bench, scoring all six of her points over a two and a half minute stretch, with a pair at the line and back-to-back scooping layups to gain a more comfortable 12-point advantage. Spinelli split a late trip to the stripe while the Tigers ended the game on a layup that allowed FSU to take the game 68-57.
The Bobcats went 14-of-16 at the line and out-rebounded the Tigers 45-29, holding the visitors to below 40% shooting from the field. Spinelli would lead all scorers with 21 while grabbing eight boards, as Muha enjoyed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two blocks. Hileman joined them in double-digit scoring with 15, as Gaskins finished the night with a game-high seven assists.
With the win, FSU improves to 8-7 on the year, while Salem drops to 1-12. Frostburg will next travel to Point Park on Saturday, January 17 for a 2 PM Mountain East Conference matchup. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com
