Simmons' Career Game Leads Men's Basketball to Assertive Win Over Wheeling for Series Sweep

FROSTBURG, Md.- The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team stormed through Wheeling at home on Saturday afternoon, taking the series sweep with a 105-83 victory. 
 
Frostburg won the jump ball, leading to junior Chase Whippen pulling down an offensive rebound and passing it back out to graduate Eric Sonberg, who was able to sink a triple.  Wheeling responded right away on their first look at offense, nailing a three from outside as well.  The Cardinals took their first lead of the game at 6-3 on their next trip down the floor, converting an and-one during the process.  The Bobcats struggled to find their momentum after their opening bucket, finding themselves down 9-3 in the first four minutes of action.  Freshman Trey Simmons subbed in, putting up a fastbreak layup in the paint to end the drought for FSU.  Redshirt junior Justin Roseme traded buckets with WU in the next minute, before freshman Christopher Meakin connected on a pair of frees throws, as well did Wheeling. 
 
Both teams continued to exchange scores as the midway mark approached, as junior Jaden Baker got in on the scoring action for Frostburg.  At 12:11, FSU surged for a 14-0 run, using the momentum they had been waiting for, nailing a trio of threes in the process to take a 25-16 lead.  A duo of free throws from the Cardinals gave them a score for the first time in four minutes, moving the game to 25-18.  Senior Koby Baptiste laid in a layup in the paint, before Simmons and Sondberg combined for five points and a 10-point game.  Simmons converted an and-one to get the crowd amped-up, as senior JayShaun Freeman weaved his way down the court for another fastbreak layup for the Bobcats and a 38-25 game with under six left in the first half.  Baptiste and Whippen worked for some points for FSU, but Simmons staying hot, scored six consecutive points to sit the game at 51-31.  Adding to Frostburg's excitement, Sondberg sunk another three, while also drawing the foul, converting the four-point play for a 55-31 advantage with 1:49 left in the half.  The Bobcats didn't let WU score for over the last three minutes of the first, with Simmons laying in the final points of the half for a 57-31 FSU edge at the break. 
 
The Cardinals showed the first points of the second at the charity stripe, before Baker kept the energy going for FSU in the second half, being credited with a triple from behind the arc.  WU put together an 8-0 run in the first four minutes of the half, bringing the game to 60-41, but Sondberg was able to get the Bobcats back up and running with another three of his own in transition.  Baker followed with a layup, as well did Freeman, to increase the game back to 67-43.  WU picked up another pair of points at the free throw line, but Simmons and Baker continued to work, putting in back-to-back layups.  Sophomore Zane McCarty helped cap off an 8-2 run for Frostburg, hitting a triple from the corner to see a 79-51 game with 11:38 left in regulation. 
 
Wheeling did put up a three of their own, but Sondberg raced down the court after the bucket, finding his way down the lane for a dunk to spark another solid effort from FSU.  McCarty knocked down another jumper, with senior Naphtali Regilus getting his first points of the afternoon at the free throw line.  Simmons poured in three more points, also from the charity stripe, as the Cardinals sat the game at 88-63.  Sophomore Vilius Slanina was credited with a bucket underneath for his first points of the game, while Simmons and Baker found their way to the basket as well.  Another three from the Bobcats, this time from Roseme, moved the game to 97-70, as nothing was stopping Frostburg from enjoying their rhythm.  Freshman Kadon Fossett struck a three himself with under four left to play, breaking the game at 100-74.  Freshman Blake Burrows also sunk a straight away triple, as fellow freshman Tony Pope laid in the final points of the game for FSU, allowing the Bobcats to take the assertive 105-83 win.
 
Simmons had a career game, going for 26 points on 8-of-13 from the floor and 8-of-12 from the free throw line, while also grabbing three rebounds and seeing three assists.  Sondberg (20) and Baker (18) were also in double figures, with the former sinking five threes and the latter taking a team-high eight rebounds. 
 
With the win, Frostburg goes to 10-14 on the season, while Wheeling also moves to 10-14.  The Bobcats stay on their home court for their next contest, welcoming in Salem for a non-conference game on Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 PM.  For more information and updates, please visit frostburgsports.com.