BUCKHANNON, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball went over the century mark for the third time this season in defeating West Virginia Wesleyan 109-95 during their MEC opener.
 
Within the first minute and a half, freshman Mitch Finefrock found his range from deep on two occasions, though WVWC responded each time as the game stood at 6-6 early on. The sides continued to go back and forth, as junior Mike Montano and sophomore Christopher Meakin put in layups while Finefrock added his third triple before sophomore Trey Simmons got in on the action with a mid-range jumper and a putback to lead 18-13 with five minutes gone.
 
After a couple scoreless minutes, both offenses caught fire, trading bucket for bucket as Finefrock fired from deep, Simmons slammed home a dunk, and Montano converted back-to-back layups up 27-22. Montano and redshirt sophomore Blake Burrows then each got a steal, the former getting fouled and knocking down both free throws, while the latter got an easy lay-in, however a layup and a deep three by Wesleyan kept them within four. Junior Zane McCarty found Montano for a floater in the lane, then after a WVWC basket, graduate Chase Whippen split a trip to the line while McCarty came up with a block and another dime, this time to Finefrock for three and a 37-29 advantage with just under seven to go in the half.
 
Wesleyan was able to get a block immediately followed by a layup, however McCarty and Finefrock knocked down back-to-back treys with Montano assisting both and splitting at the charity stripe, followed by a pair of lay-ins by graduates Kyle and Chase Whippen, growing the lead out to 14. WVWC tried to find some momentum through a couple of makes at the cup, but Chase Whippen hit from range while Simmons came up with a block that eventually led to him getting to the rim as the advantage extended to 52-35 with two minutes to go.
 
Still the hosts wouldn't let things get too out of hand, as they got back-to-back baskets followed by four consecutive free throws, clawing back to a nine-point deficit. In an extended Frostburg possession, three offensive rebounds eventually led to Finefrock getting fouled, as he hit one of two to end the half up 53-43.
 
WVWC opened up the second period with a pair of layups and a foul on a three-point shooter, allowing them to suddenly get within five. Finefrock cooled off the rally with yet another triple, while Simmons converted a pair at the line and redshirt freshman DJ Daniel earned a putback bucket to get back up 62-52.
 
FSU went over two minutes without getting a basket, however they still were able to find points as the Whippens combined for two at the line, while a tech foul on the Wesleyan bench allowed Finefrock to knock in another pair before Montano got a layup to go to break the drought for a 14-point lead. The sides went back and forth through the next three minutes, as some great ball movement got Daniel and Montano each easy layups, with the score standing at 75-62.
 
Seeking a way back into the game, WVWC was helped out by some Frostburg fouls, getting to the line on three trips down the floor, hitting each shot as they got back to within seven. Junior Vilius Slanina stopped the run with a three while Simmons finished at the rim, both off of McCarty assists, however Wesleyan refused to go away, getting a jumper, a dunk, and a pair at the line to make things 80-74 with seven minutes on the clock.
 
It would be Finefrock again to spark momentum back to FSU, as Montano whipped him a pass for a corner trey before converting his chance at the stripe and Simmons adding a putback lay-in to go back up 13. After WVWC tacked on a layup followed by an and-one, Daniel responded with a pair at the line and a three, while Chase Whippen had an easy two, Finefrock earned two freebies, and Simmons slammed another dunk to lead 98-79.
 
Wesleyan was able to get to the basket regularly through the next minute, getting an and-one followed by back-to-back lay-ins, getting the deficit down to 14 with two minutes to go. Simmons and Montano scored each of Frostburg's final nine points, combining to go three-of-four at the line while the latter added a late layup, as WVWC was also there almost every step of the way, making the score 109-95 in favor of FSU as the buzzer sounded.
 
Finefrock led all scorers with 28 points, tying for the second-most threes made in a game in program history with a 7-for-14 shooting performance from deep. Montano had himself a triple-double of 22 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists to go along with four steals, as Simmons (22), and Daniel (11) each also reached double-figure scoring.
 
With the win, Frostburg improves to 3-3 on the year while Wesleyan drops to 0-5. FSU will remain on the road to face Davis & Elkins on Saturday, December 6 at 4 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.