FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Basketball team used a strong third quarter to defeat District of Columbia 69-61 at home on Monday evening.
 
Sophomore Ayla Hileman helped the Bobcats get out to a quick start, as she nailed back-to-back three-pointers either side of a Firebird layup, while classmate Julie Spinelli then made one of her own for an early 8-2 advantage. UDC came right back with two straight buckets and a triple to pull within 10-9. Over a three-minute span, Frostburg's only basket came from redshirt sophomore Mandy Roman finding junior Jenna Muha for an easy lay-in before Spinelli hit from deep and added another layup to pull ahead 15-11. The Firebirds hit back with a steal and trey while freshman Ella Sabatos got into the lane off a feed from sophomore Laekyn Flinn, as with time ticking down, redshirt freshman Sophie Nichols gave FSU a late boost with a three to end the period up 20-16.
 
Roman dished out assists to Sabatos and Flinn before splitting a trip to the line to start the second quickly up 25-16. The sides then traded quick buckets, however Muha's make at the seven-minute mark would be the Bobcats' only points for four minutes, allowing UDC to get within 27-26. Flinn finally broke the drought by going perfect at the charity stripe before Roman knocked down a much-needed three on a feed from freshman Zaria Gaskins to go up by six. Still the Firebirds wouldn't go away easily, knocking their own triple down before a pair of freebies pulled them back within one. With 90 seconds to go, Flinn hid a mid-range pull-up from the baseline, as Roman was fouled late, knocking both down to go into the half up 36-31.
 
Frostburg came out of the break with a number of stout defensive stands, holding UDC to just one field goal over the first five minutes. Spinelli got the offense going on an assist from Muha, who hit a layup of her own off a Hileman steal, while Gaskins hit a pair at the line and knocked down a trey to surge ahead 45-33. The Firebirds game back with makes on their next three possessions, pulling within six before a three-minute stretch of scoreless play between both teams. With 30 seconds left in the frame, Flinn found Nichols from deep before coming up with a steal that allowed Roman to convert another pair of free throws, ending the quarter with a 50-39 advantage.
 
UDC found some offensive rhythm to start the fourth, making a pair of threes followed by a fastbreak layup, all from Calista Gaymon, as FSU responded through Flinn getting to the line and Sabatos being found by Gaskins for a 54-48 score. Hileman then restored a double-digit lead by passing to Flinn on a lay-in before making another triple to go up 11. The Firebirds then went two-for-two at the stripe and Gaymon hit again from deep to pull within six, as freshman Raegan Ogle was able to find Spinelli for a layup to take a 61-53 lead at the media timeout. UDC made a long two-pointer and split a pair of free throws to get the deficit down to five, as Spinelli answered at the line to lead 63-56 with two minutes to go. Spinelli and Hileman helped ensure that the Firebirds weren't able to get closer, each coming up with a steal, as the latter also knocked down two more free throws to hold a nine-point advantage. Down the stretch, Sabatos and Roman each also were perfect following fouls, as UDC could only manage a three and a jumper late on, giving the Bobcats the 69-61 victory.
 
Spinelli led FSU in scoring with 13 points, while Hileman (11), Roman (10), and Flinn (10) all also reached double figures. Muha pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, while Roman notched a team-high six assists.
 
With the win, Frostburg improves to 2-2 on the year, while the Firebirds drop to 2-2. FSU will return home on Monday, December 1 for a 5:30 PM game against Mansfield. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.