WHEELING, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball team saw their season come to a close with a 79-71 loss in the MEC Tournament Semifinals to three seed Charleston (WV).
 
After a scoreless first minute, UC scored the game's first seven points on a three and back-to-back layups. Sophomore Julie Spinelli broke FSU's drought by driving the lane but that would be their only field goal for another four minutes, as the Golden Eagles stretched their advantage all the way out to 15-2. The Bobcats were able to settle in through back-to-back lay-ins by Spinelli and junior Jenna Muha, with sophomore Laekyn Flinn and freshman Zaria Gaskins assisting. Flinn netted the next five Frostburg points through a pair at the line and a deep make to pull back within six, however UC netted the final seven of the quarter to lead 24-11.
 
Muha opened the second with a pair of layups, while Spinelli went three-of-four at the line, but Charleston matched every step of the way to lead 28-18. Following a long jumper from redshirt sophomore Mandy Roman, the Golden Eagles nailed from deep to go up by 11, as Frostburg came up with a huge response over the next six minutes. Roman kicked off the scoring run with a drive inside, then Muha grabbed an offensive rebound and somehow found Spinelli to hit a trey. Muha then got fouled and converted both from the stripe before scoring on a great find by Flinn in transition, while Roman passed to Spinelli for a layup and a stunning 31-31 tie. The sides traded back-and-forth to end the frame, with UC breaking their drought on a mid-range jumper and a late three to stay ahead 36-33 at the half.
 
Entering the third, Muha went for a pair of baskets either side of a putback by Charleston before splitting a trip to the line for a 38-38 tie after two minutes. FSU then went cold from the floor, not making another field goal for another five minutes, while the Golden Eagles hit a trio of threes and an and-one in reestablishing a double-digit lead at 51-40. Flinn was able to hit from beyond the arc while sophomore Ayla Hileman, Muha, and Roman went a perfect six-for-six on their freebies, but UC remained up 57-47 headed to the final period.
 
Roman again got to the line to begin the fourth but Charleston responded right away on a three, two free throws, an and-one, and a layup to take their largest advantage at 67-51. Redshirt freshman Sophie Nichols was able to convert and old-fashioned three-point play, while Hileman made one of the modern variety and Flinn drove inside hoping to give FSU a late chance, cutting the deficit down to eight. Another trey from Hileman brought the game to 69-62 with just over two minutes left, but the Golden Eagles were able to keep the clock on their side. Two free throws and a layup put them back up by 11, as baskets from Roman and Nichols were both answered by UC. In the final 30 seconds, Muha netted a rare three while Nichols came up with a steal that led to Roman going to the stripe, but the Bobcats would get no closer than six the rest of the way, with Charleston making enough free throws to come away with the 79-71 win.
 
With the loss, Frostburg ends their campaign at 16-15, while UC advances into the MEC Championship Game at 20-10 overall.
 
The winning record marked the third consecutive time that FSU has achieved the feat, the first time doing so for the program since going four seasons above .500 from 2003-07. A couple of program records also fell as the Bobcats reached new highs in free throws made (480) and free throw percentage (78.4).