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First Half Deficit Too Much to Overcome in Men's Basketball Loss to West Liberty

The Frostburg State Men's Basketball Team fell to the West Liberty Hilltoppers by a score of 90-80 at home on Wednesday evening.
Wed, Feb 14, 2024

FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball Team fell to the West Liberty Hilltoppers by a score of 90-80 at home on Wednesday evening.

West Liberty got up to a 2-0 lead until junior Kobe Baptiste was fouled driving in the paint to put Frostburg on the board and tie the game at 2-2. Bucket after bucket gave WLU a quick 12-2 lead in the first three minutes. Redshirt sophomore Justin Roseme secured a jumper to bring the score to 12-4. The Hilltoppers did not miss, making the score 21-4 over the next three minutes. A three-point play from freshman Malcom Day got the ball rolling for FSU to put the game at 21-7. Back-to-back threes from West Liberty created a 22-point advantage 29-7. Off an assist from freshman Zane McCarty, Baptiste finished around the rim to make the score 29-9. The Hilltoppers remained on top 31-9, as fighting back was junior Sebastian Gahse and senior Jaylon Johnson, as the two scored the next two buckets for Frostburg, bringing the game to 31-13.

With under ten to play in the first half, West Liberty added one for a 32-13 score. Gahse from Johnson for two put the game at 32-15. The Hilltoppers added eight before Roseme knocked down two free throws and a three, as Baptiste put up another four to bring the score to 40-24. After three minutes, WLU found another basket with a floating jumper for a 42-24 game.  Day showed some fire power for the Bobcats finishing a dunk for a 42-26 game. A West Liberty missed jumper found the ball at the hands of senior Jaylin Albury and two free throws to bring the game to 42-28. WLU scored seven points compared to FSU's two to finish the half, as the Hilltoppers led 49-30 at the break.

Frostburg and WLU played incredible defense to start the second, as neither team made a shot for the first two minutes of the half. Baptiste was sent to the line to kick off the half, knocking down to free throws, reciprocated by one free throw from West Liberty to put the score at 50-32. Frostburg started to gain on WLU, as Baptiste and Roseme hit shots to make the score 52-38. The Hilltoppers scored six within two minutes to jump back up 58-38.  Junior Robby Willliams following with back-to-back threes cut the Hilltoppers lead to 60-47. FSU took the advantage on offense as West Liberty missed shots, Roseme, Johnson, and Williams put the ball in the basket.

With three fourths of the game played, WLU led 63-54. Gahse with a slam dunk and WLU with an answer, allowed Day to connect with a three to cut the game to 65-59. A jumper from the Hilltopppers off a missed three from FSU put WLU back up 67-59. McCarty fouled as he drove to the basket, as he added two to make the score 67-61 for another close game.  The next two minutes neither team could miss, as points were traded with WLU still on top 81-71 with five minutes to go. A scoreless minute occurred until Johnson stepped on the line to put up two points for a 81-73 game. West Liberty added another layup and Baptiste hit a three to cut WLU's lead to six once more, 83-76. Williams traded free throws with West Liberty as the score remained 85-78. The clock was in the Hilltoppers favor, as Gahse slammed down another dunk, but time winded out with West Liberty coming out on top 90-80.

Baptiste finished with a double-double in 19 points and 11 rebounds, as four other Bobcats scored in double-digits with Roseme (14), Williams and Johnson (12), and Day (10). Albury led with three steals, as Johnson contributed six assists while Albury followed with four. Day ended with two blocks.

With the conclusion of this game, Frostburg falls to an overall record of 2-21 and a conference record of 2-14, while West Liberty moves to an overall record of 18-5 and a conference record of 12-3.  FSU is back in action on Saturday, February 17 as they take on Wheeling on the road for a 4 PM start time. For more information, visit frostburgsports.com.