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Men's Basketball Outscores Tigers in Second Half to Hang On for Home Win

The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team battled with the Salem Tigers on Saturday afternoon to come away with the 73-69 win.
Sat, Feb 24, 2024

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team battled with the Salem Tigers on Saturday afternoon to come away with the 73-69 win. 

The first basket was awarded to Salem in the second minute of the contest for a 2-0 game. On the following play, freshman Zane McCarty earned a spot at the free throw line, sinking two for Frostburg's first points of the game.  Salem had possession until freshman Malcolm Day stole the ball, finding junior Kobe Baptiste on the run for a slam dunk and a 4-2 score. The Tigers tied it at four apiece off an offensive rebound and put-back. Looking for a score, Day was fouled and went two-for-two from the line to put FSU back in front 6-4.  The game saw a lead change on the following possession, as Salem knocked down a three for a 7-6 game.  The Tigers remained in the lead after a quick bucket, but the score was quickly changed by a three from junior JaySahaun Freeman. Salem's five points overpowered Baptiste's two, as the Tigers jumped in front 14-12. A Salem jumper answered by senior Jaylon Johnson kept the deficit at two for the Bobcats. The Tigers quickly went up four on the next possession, as Freeman knocked down a three to pull FSU within one 18-17.

Baptiste with another dunk changed the lead once more to 19-18.  Teams swapped baskets and leads as the score increased to 26-23 in favor of the Tigers.  The game saw another tie score once more, as McCarty connected on a shot from behind the arc. Salem extended their lead by eight with under three to play as the score read 37-29. First point of the day for junior Sebastian Gahse brought FSU within six, 37-31.  Ghase, Freeman, and freshman Logan Lewis combined for FSU's final six points of the half, as the Tigers put up six points as well, as the score saw 43-37 at the break with Salem on top. 

Freeman put the Bobcats on the board to start the second, connecting from deep to bring the Bobcats within three, 43-40. A steal from Baptiste led to junior Robby Williams having the ball, hitting from behind the three point line to tie the game at 43.  Salem took back the lead with a jumper for their first points of the half, but the game was quickly tied at 45 as Williams hit a step back jumper. Traded free throws by the Tigers and Lewis kept the score tied at 47. A layup followed by a three from Day but FSU up two, 52-50 around the 14 minute mark.  Both teams traded points with Frostburg continuing to have a two-point advantage, before Salem scored back-to-back buckets to tie things at 54.  

Johnson connected on one from deep, allowing FSU to cut ahead three to break the tie.  The Tigers quickly executed on two fastbreak plays to tie things up once more, before senior Jaylin Albury converted an and-one opportunity to put the Bobcats up 62-59 with around eight minutes remaining.  Back-to-back jumpers from Lewis put FSU up by four, as Frostburg was able to keep a four point advantage for the next few minutes.  With just under two minutes to play in regulation, Lewis put another easy two on the board, allowing FSU to have a 71-65 lead.  With just around a minute left, Salem knocked down points from the free throw line and three point line to get within two.  With 34 seconds remaining in the game, Albury was fouled, sending him to the line, where he sank two huge free throws that would seal the 73-69 win for the Bobcats.  

Three Bobcats scored in double digits with Lewis (14), Freeman (14) and Baptiste (10). McCarty put up nine points followed by Day with seven and Johnson with six. Lewis led the team in rebounding with six, as him and Freeman both assisted on three buckets. Baptiste and Freeman had three steals each, as Gahse finished with two blocks.

With the conclusion of this game, Frostburg moves to an overall record of 3-23 while Salem falls to an overall record of 6-20. The Bobcats are back at home on Wednesday, February 28 for their Senior Night against Davis & Elkins with a 7:30 PM start time. For more information visit frostburgsports.com.