FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team recorded their best defensive performance of the season in a dominant 94-61 victory over Concord on Saturday.

After a scoreless opening minute, the Mountain Lions earned the first points of the game with a corner three before sophomore Christopher Meakin netted a pair of freebies, as a layup from CU was answered by freshman Mitch Finefrock hitting back-to-back triples for an 8-5 advantage. Concord drove in for a layup to get back within one, however the Bobcats went on an 11-2 run with a jumper from Finefrock, a dunk from graduate Kyle Whippen, and layins from junior Zane McCarty and redshirt freshman DJ Daniel to take a 16-7 lead. After Concord landed a triple, McCarty responded with a mid-range jumper, while Daniel sank back-to-back triples to increase the advantage up to 12. 

The Mountain Lions looked to get back into the game defensively, holding FSU scoreless for two minutes, converting a floater and pair of freebies to pull within eight. Over a two-minute stretch, Frostburg found their rhythm offensively, as Finefrock started the run with a three before junior Vilius Slanina netted a lay-in, then McCarty was fouled from behind the arc, sinking all three freebies, while Daniel hit a smooth turnaround jumper to surge ahead 34-18. Concord went through 10 minutes recording just one field goal and a pair at the line, as the Bobcat attack continued when Whippen slammed a dunk and Daniel and McCarty drove to the rim on four consecutive trips to push ahead 44-20 with just under five minutes to go. CU finally got themselves going again with back-to-back baskets, however Finefrock netted a triple in response. In the final 90 seconds, the Mountain Lions hit back with a three of their own, Whippen went 2-of-2 at the line, the visitors got a lay-in to go, and McCarty knocked down a last-second jumper to go into the half up 51-29. 

Neither side converted on their first possession out of the break, as Daniel got things started with a pair from the charity stripe before Whippen made a jumper in response to a Concord layup. Following a CU steal-and-score, Whippen muscled his way to an and-one to keep the advantage up to 25. It would be over three minutes before the next Bobcat shot fell, as three straight baskets from the Mountain Lions and four free throws got them to within 60-43. Stopping any momentum, Finefrock made a mid-range jumper while Whippen and Daniel each made treys, with the latter adding another couple at the line and sophomore Christopher Meakin getting a physical layup to go back up 70-46. McCarty answered a Concord layup with one of his own, then Slanina fed a no-look pass to Daniel for a layup as McCarty found Finefrock for another triple for a 29-point advantage. 

The Mountain Lions netted their first three of the second half but didn't do themselves any favors defensively, fouling Daniel from behind the line as he buried each of them. He then added two of the best highlights of the day on back-to-back possessions, slamming home a high-rising putback jam, then stealing the ball and stuffing home a transition dunk that brought the crowd to their feet. With the lead up to 33, redshirt sophomore Cash Henderson landed one-of-two from the line, while junior Chris Cochran was found by freshman Kyle Kovich for a triple after CU had hit one. Concord's next five points all came at the line, as Cochran, Herndon, and sophomore Brady Walters all got layups to fall, with a late Mountain Lion jumper ending things at 91-64.

Daniel led FSU with a team-high 28 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, while McCarty notched 17 points to go with four assists and steals of his own. Finefrock (19) and Whippen (14) each recorded double-digit scoring figures, while FSU's defense held CU to just 35% shooting from the floor and 20.8% from three in addition to forcing 18 turnovers. 

With the win, the Bobcats improve to 11-9 as Concord falls to 10-8 on the year. Frostburg is back home on Wednesday, February 4, as they face West Virginia State at 7:30 pm. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.