Johnson's Triple-Double Sets Up Fourth Quarter Push in Women's Basketball's Victory Over Hilltoppers

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball team fought for the 87-79 road win over West Liberty on Wednesday evening, with senior Jasmine Johnson securing the first-ever triple double in the Division II era of the program. 
 
Senior Taylor Smith got the game going with a point from the free throw line, a minute and a half into action.  Both teams struggled to hit shots early on, as Johnson swatted away the first few attempts from West Liberty.  Both squads stayed quiet over the next three minutes, with WLU sinking a three at the 6:38 mark for their first score of the game.  The Hilltoppers then put up a layup to see a 5-1 score, until senior Emilee Weakley got on the board with a layup in the paint.  Weakley knocked down two free throws to tie the game at five, before an easy two from Smith gave the Bobcats the lead.  Freshman Julie Spinelli traded buckets with West Liberty to keep the lead, as another layup from Weakley pushed FSU in front 11-8.  WLU tied the game at 13 with under two minutes left in the first, until the Hilltoppers retook the lead at the charity stripe.  Johnson laid in a score to round out the quarter, sending the game into the second with a 15-15 tie. 
 
The Hilltoppers nailed a triple to get the second rolling, with sophomore Alanna Tate hitting the first bucket of the quarter for Frostburg.  Another layup from Smith put FSU back in front, setting up a 12-0 run from the Bobcats for a 27-18 lead at the 6:14 mark.  West Liberty put in a three to end the run, but Weakley answered right back with a bucket of her own.  Smith and Tate kept FSU on top by eight as time went on, but West Liberty put in the final points before the break for a 36-32 game with Frostburg still on top. 
 
Weakley laid in the first points of the third, with West Liberty handling a layup on the other end in response.  Johnson then swapped layups with the Hilltoppers on the next possession, as another two from Weakley moved the game to 42-36.  Both teams continued to trade buckets, with Spinelli, Johnson, and Smith seeing scores for the Bobcats.  WLU knocked down a three to get within two at the 4:23 mark, tying the game at 48 just a minute later.  West Liberty laid in another bucket in the paint for a 50-48 lead, but an and-one converted by Tate put Frostburg back on top 51-50 with around two minutes left in the third.  A layup from the Hilltoppers gave them back the advantage, as a three increased their lead to 55-51.  Weakley brought the game within two, as Smith swapped layups with WLU to round out the quarter with West Liberty on top 57-55.
 
Weakley tied the game at 57 to start the fourth, as Tate gave the Bobcats back their lead with a following layup. The Hilltoppers tied the game once again, this time at the free throw line, until again Weakley helped Frostburg soar back in front.  West Liberty tied the game at 61 and 63, but FSU had an answer each time to take the go-ahead bucket.  Weakley sunk four consecutive free throws for a 67-63 lead, as West Liberty answered with a pair of free throws themselves.  Weakley and Johnson worked for back-to-back scores to move Frostburg ahead with 6:27 left in regulation.  WLU hit a three to get within four, but Smith answered with a layup to go up by six.  Almost two minutes later, Smith put in another close two, followed by Johnson taking two free throws, all for a 77-68 game.  Weakley traded layups with West Liberty to remain in front as time ticked down, as neither team saw another basket until under a minute.  The Hilltoppers hit two free throws to bring the game to 79-74 with 57 seconds left, but with them trying to foul, Weakley was sent to the line for two, adding two more points to Frostburg's total.  WLU nailed a three to bring the score to 81-77 with now 45 seconds left, but still forced to foul, Weakley and Smith combined for 6-of-6 from the line in the final seconds, giving FSU the 87-79 victory. 
 
Weakley led all scorers with 37 points and 10 rebounds for another double-double, shooting 13-for-26 from the floor and 11-for-12 from the free throw line.  Smith was next with 19 points and six rebounds, while Spinelli saw 10 points and eight rebounds.  Johnson finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks, also tying the single game block record. 
 
With the win, Frostburg moves to 14-9 on the season, while West Liberty falls 8-15.  The Bobcats return home for their next contest, hosting their Pink Game on Saturday, February 15 against Wheeling at 2 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com