CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The Frostburg State men's basketball team lost on the road to Charleston (WV) by a final score of 96-85.
Each side traded baskets early, with UC making a pair of dunks while sophomore Trey Simmons hit a jumper, however FSU wouldn't score again for the next three minutes, allowing the hosts to build up an 11-2 lead. Over the next four minutes, it was the Bobcat defense's turn to come up with stops, as Simmons got his own putback and and-one, graduate Chase Whippen drove for a pair of lay-ins, and junior Zane McCarty hit from deep that put Frostburg ahead 14-11.
Continuing to play through scoring stretches, Charleston scored the next eight before graduate Kyle Whippen and Simmons combined for a pair of buckets, making things 21-19 in favor of the hosts. A pair of threes threatened to let UC start to run away, but Simmons hit one of his own to stay within touching distance. Eventually the Golden Eagles did distance themselves, hitting another pair from behind the arc to go with a pair of layups, pushing ahead 37-24 with three minutes to go. The Whippens went for back-to-back lay-ins in hopes of getting some late momentum, as Simmons traded a three and a jumper with Charleston as they went into the half up 42-33.
Frostburg would come out of the break playing fast, with Simmons finding Kyle Whippen and redshirt freshman DJ Daniel for scores inside, cutting the deficit to five within the first minute. The Golden Eagles then began to find their offense, turning the game into a scoring affair at both ends, as Chase and Kyle Whippen netted layups while UC made a three, a layup, and a pair of jumpers to lead 51-41. The hosts would then use a two-minute Bobcat scoreless streak to stretch the lead further with a combined three free throws, two jumpers, and a three building up to an 18-point advantage. Simmons was able to convert at the line while McCarty hit again from deep, but Charleston was there to answer each time with a 67-46 score.
FSU was able to find consistent scoring, as Daniel hit from mid-range, McCarty netted a trey, Chase Whippen converted an and-one, and Simmons pulled up for two before freshman Mitch Finefrock, coming off his program record nine threes earlier in the week, made his first of the day to bring the deficit down to 13. Chase Whippen, Simmons, and Daniel then scored six of the next eight points to trim the UC lead to single digits, as Simmons was also fouled from behind the arc, knocking down all three to get within 76-68 with five minutes to go.
Charleston split their chance at the stripe, as Daniel and Finefrock combined to go three-for-four, with the former also netting a triple and a jumper to put the Golden Eagle lead at just five. UC settled themselves over the next minute, converting all four of their free throw attempts to go with a steal and dunk, effectively putting the game away at 87-76 with 90 seconds to go. Daniel hit from deep in hopes of generating a miracle, however Charleston didn't miss a single freebie the rest of the way, going on to win 96-85.
FSU was led by Simmons' 27 points, as Daniel (17), Chase (15) and Kyle Whippen (12) all also reached double figures.
With the loss, Frostburg is now 12-10 on the season while UC improves to 13-7. The Bobcats will return home on Wednesday, February 11 when they host West Liberty at 7:30 PM. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.
