Men's Basketball Downed by Crimson Hawks in IRMC Finale

INDIANA, Pa. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team dropped their second game of the IRMC Thanksgiving Classic, falling to hosts Indiana (Pa.) 75-58 on Sunday evening.

Just over a minute into the game, IUP struck first, driving down the lane for an easy layup to open up play as part of a 6-0 run, before junior Sebastian Gahse put Frostburg on the board with a layup of his own almost three minutes into the game. Junior Robby Williams quickly knocked down a jumper off an assist from freshman Zane McCarty for a 6-4 game. The Crimson Hawks proceeded to go on another run to jump ahead by eight, before junior Koby Baptiste converted a layup and swiped a steal on defense for a fastbreak jumper in the paint to break the Bobcat scoring drought. The Crimson Hawks wasted no time doubling their advantage, scoring six more straight points to widen the scoring margin 24-8 just under the midway mark of the first half.

Williams broke the ice for FSU, connecting from deep off an assist from senior Cole Harshman. Williams continued to apply the pressure on offense for Frostburg, getting fouled behind the arc, going on to sink all three free throws to bring the Bobcats within 10. Coming off six straight points from Williams, FSU pulled five more unanswered points to get within five. IUP was finally able to put one in the basket, connecting from deep. Both teams traded a pair of buckets, before junior JayShaun Freeman knocked down a jumper to bring Frostburg within two. The Crimson Hawks quickly put an end to the Bobcats offensive spark, converting from deep once more to go up 32-27. IUP proceeded to score five more points to end the half, connecting once again from three, finding themselves up 37-27 after the first 20 minutes of play.

Both teams missed multiple shots to kick off the second half, before Harshman went two-for-two from the free throw line to put the Bobcats on the board first. Williams then hit a jumper from mid-range to bring FSU within six. IUP responded with four straight points of their own, before Williams hit another trey. Both teams proceeded to exchange big time buckets, a dunk from the Crimson Hawks and a three from McCarty, battling back and forth to keep the game separated by six points. Back-to-back points from Williams and McCarty brought Frostburg within two, before IUP went back up by six with just over 11 minutes left in the game.

The Crimson Hawks started to find their rhythm, building their lead to 15 while locking down defensively. A jumper from McCarty brought the game to 60-47 around the six minute mark. IUP continued to find rhythm, scoring nine more straight points, before senior Jaylon Johnson put one in the bucket, earning himself an and-one opportunity to break the Bobcat scoring drought. Everything continued to click on offense for IUP, as McCarty scored five points and senior Sean Brown Jr. hit a three, all to end the game 75-58 in favor of the hosts.

McCarty and Williams led FSU on offense with 15 points each, with McCarty dishing out three assists and grabbing five rebounds, while Williams grabbed three board. Freeman finished with eight points, while freshman Malcom Day was credited with a team-high seven rebounds.

With the loss, Frostburg falls to 1-6 on the season, while IUP moves to 2-3. The Bobcats will return home and to MEC play, hosting Charleston (WV) on Wednesday, November 29 at 7:30 PM. For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.