SALEM, W. Va. – The Frostburg State men's basketball team dropped a midweek road contest, falling 97-94 to Salem as the Tigers held on to a late lead.

The Bobcats got off to a quick start, as freshman Mitch Finefrock knocked down a three-pointer and graduate Kyle Whippen converted a layup off a Salem turnover, however the Tigers evened the score at 5-5 just over two minutes into the game. FSU hit back through sophomore Trey Simmons getting to the rim twice and converting an and-one, while redshirt freshman DJ Daniel hit a triple to give FSU a 15-8 advantage. SU responded with force, holding Frostburg scoreless while scoring 11 unanswered to lead 24-15. 

Simmons attacked the basket twice to slow the Tigers' run, getting to the charity stripe and making another layup, but the hosts remained efficient on offense, staying up by 10. The sides continued to go back-and-forth in scoring through the next four minutes, with SU leading 37-26 with eight minutes to go. Seeking an answer, Simmons was able to knock down a three then combined with junior Vilius Slanina and Finefrock to go 5-of-6 from the line to cut the deficit down to three. After Whippen converted a layup, the Bobcats wouldn't make another field goal for three minutes, allowing the Tigers to build back to a 47-37 advantage. Finefrock, Simmons, and Whippen provided the Bobcats' offense for the final two and a half minutes, but Salem was there every step of the way to lead 56-46 at the break. 

Daniel opened the second-half scoring with a three-pointer off an assist from graduate Chase Whippen, while Simmons went for back-to-back layups and Kyle Whippen reached double figures on a jumper that cut the deficit to 59-55. SU responded with five unanswered, but Daniel kept Frostburg's offense ticking with a triple then came up with a steal that led to Chase Whippen scoring on a breakaway. The Tigers were determined not to let their lead slip, answered a Kyle Whippen basket with back-to-back threes, growing the lead back to 10 with six minutes gone.

Each side went score for score through the next four minutes, with a slam dunk keeping the hosts in a double-digit lead. Chase Whippen helped turn the tide with a drive in the paint, as FSU's defense kept Salem scoreless during a five-minute stretch. Daniel led the effort with a trio of steals while also getting to the line, as Kyle Whippen drove for a pair of layups while also converting an old-fashioned three-point play to pull within 81-79. Finefrock then knocked one in from behind the arc and eased in for a transition layup to take a stunning 84-81 lead. 

SU was able to recover, scoring the next five to regain a two-point lead with three minutes to play. Kyle Whippen continued his dominance down low, getting a lay-in followed by a pair at the line, going back ahead 88-86. The Tigers netted six of the next eight points before hitting a dagger three to get some breathing room at 95-91 with just under two minutes to go. Kyle Whippen split his free throws but came up with a huge block at the defensive end that allowed sophomore Christopher Meakin to knock down two freebies to cut the deficit to 95-93. Salem missed a free throw in the closing moments, giving Frostburg an opportunity to tie as Finefrock was fouled with just 0.9 on the clock. After missing the first and making the second, he intentionally tried to miss the third for a putback opportunity, but couldn't hit the rim as SU was able to hit a free throw and run the clock out for the 97-94 victory. 

Simmons led FSU with 32 points, while Kyle Whippen added 29 points and 10 rebounds, setting a new career-high in scoring. Finefrock (13) and Daniel (11) also finished in double figures, the latter finishing with seven boards and five steals on the day. 

The loss drops the Bobcats to 12-13 overall, while Salem improves to 8-16. Frostburg returns home Saturday, February 21 for Senior Night, hosting Point Park at 4 p.m. inside Bobcat Arena. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com.