FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team fell 99-94 to Seton Hill (Pa) for the final game of the Bobcat Classic on Sunday afternoon.

The first three minutes were back and forth as SHU earned the first points of the game with a layup, which junior Mike Montano followed with one of his own, as sophomore Trey Simmons hit a pair of free throws and freshman Mitch Finefrock nailed a three to take a narrow 7-6 lead. SHU scored five straight points to go up 11-7, but FSU followed with two free throws from Montano and an and-one from redshirt freshman DJ Daniel to tie the game back up. After a lay-in by the Griffins, Frostburg went on a 14-4 run, starting with a layup by graduate Kyle Whippen, who also had a tip-in and a triple, an and-one by graduate Chase Whippen, while a layup by Simmons helped give the Bobcats a 23-17 lead. 

Nearing the midway point of the half, Seton Hill had a pair of lay-ins in between a Finefrock three as the Bobcats' offense kept up their momentum with two layups by Montano, followed by Kyle Whippen hitting two from the charity stripe to increase FSU's lead to 32-21. SHU had back-to-back threes before Frostburg went on a short five-point run with a lay-in and a free throw from Montano and a triple by Simmons to maintain the 11-poind advantage. In the last five minutes of the half, the Griffins were able to claw back, as they hit a trio of triples along with three combined free throws to take a 40-39 lead. Montano went one-for-two in the Bobcats' final offensive possession, as SHU ended the half on a Kedrick Curtis put-back to even things 41-41 at the break. 

The opening two minutes of the second frame were full of offense, as the sides traded layups followed by a Griffin three and back-to-back two's by Simmons and Whippen to hold a 49-46 lead. SHU wasn't going down easily, as they had a pair of lay-ins, but back-to-back buckets from Chase Whippen and Montano kept FSU ahead. Seton Hill found their offensive rhythm over a minute-long stretch, with a three and two straight layups putting the visitors ahead 57-53. Montano then took over the Frostburg offense, going for three consecutive driving buckets, though the Griffins were able to hit from deep to hold a 60-59 lead.

Each side traded a split trip at the line, as Chase Whippen answered an SHU basket with one of his own, while Montano went two-for-two to go with a layup, but the visitors hit back each time, as Dimitrios Sklavenitis got a pair of baskets to stay ahead by one. After Simmons tied the game on a jumper, the Griffins got their first bit of breathing room with Curtis going perfect at the line and driving for a lay-in to go up 73-69. Over the next two and a half minutes, Seton Hill held on to their lead, fending off the Bobcat attacking of Simmons' layup, Montano's free throws, and Chase Whippen's trey as the score stood at 80-76. FSU was then able to keep SHU scoreless for over two minutes, as a jump shot by Simmons and a pair of freebies by Montano brought the score to 80-80 with five minutes remaining in the game. 

The Griffins broke their drought on a basket in the lane, as they got a couple turnovers defensively that they converted into free throws and a deep make to go up 87-81. FSU held strong, as Simmons went perfect from the line before getting a steal-and-score to reduce the deficit to 87-85. Seton Hill managed to hold the Bobcats at arms' length, with back-to-back baskets restoring their six-point advantage. Each side traded trips to the line headed into the final minute, as a pair from Montano brought FSU to within 94-91. SHU responded swiftly, as Camden Brewer hit a dagger three that put the visitors up six with 12 seconds left. Kyle Whippen drove to the cup and got fouled to give Frostburg some hope, however the Griffins were able to convert their final two at the line for the 99-94 final. 

Montano had a massive double-double on the day, as he led the Bobcats with a game-high 37 points and 11 rebounds. Simmons (20), Kyle Whippen (16), and Chase Whippen (10) all had double-digit scoring figures. The Whippen brothers also featured all-round games, combining for nine rebounds, six assists, five blocks, and three steals between the pair. 

With the loss, FSU falls to 1-1, while the Griffins improve to 2-0. The Bobcats are back in action on the road to face Clarion on Wednesday, November 19, at 7 PM. For more information, please visit frostburgsports.com.