First Half Lead Not Enough in Men's Basketball's Road Loss to #10 West Liberty

WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – The Frostburg State Men's Basketball team fell to #10 West Liberty on the road on Wednesday evening with the final score being 129-102 after a big second half from the Hilltoppers. 

The pace to start the game was fast, with both teams putting on the full court press and looking to move the ball quickly. Frostburg found success from outside the arc early on, with made threes from seniors Koby Baptisite and JayShaun Freeman. Before the first media timeout, junior Jaden Baker got to the rim to give FSU a 11-8 lead. Baptiste continued his productive first half, knocking down his second three and then a pair of foul shots the next possession, all to tie the game up at 23-23 with 11 minutes to play in the first. Frostburg then took the lead under the halfway point of the first and held it for the rest of the half. Sophomore Vilius Slanina finished through contact in the paint and converted the old-fashioned three point play to put FSU up 40-35 with just over six minutes to left in the half. The Bobcats would continue to pressure the Hilltoppers, not letting their foot off the pedal. Graduate Eric Sondberg would get hot in the second part of the first, scoring 15 points. His last made basket came on a late three well behind the line to make the halftime score 59-53, in favor of the Bobcats, with FSU shooting 64% from deep and causing 10 turnovers. 

Frostburg continued to play well to start the second half, with WLU starting to find their rhythm. Sondberg hit a three on a Baker assist to increase the lead to 68-63 before the 15 minute media timeout. Back-to-back turnovers led to baskets for West Liberty, allowing them to secure their first lead of the second.  After taking the lead, West Liberty scored 10 straight points to increase their advantage.  The Bobcats continued to struggle, until Freeman hit a three with just over ten minutes to play, cutting the Hilltopper lead to 17. FSU couldn't overcome WLU's momentum and were forced to try and play catch-up the rest of the second half. Freshmen Trey Simmons and Kadon Fossett came on late in the game scoring seven and eight respectively.  West Liberty's second half defense proved to be too much, fueling a comeback for a final score of 129-102.    

Baker led the Bobcats with 21 points and a team-high eight rebounds.  Freeman and Sondberg finished with 20 points each, with the former shooting 8-for-10 from the floor and 4-for-5 from deep.  Baptiste added 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists. 

With the result, Frostburg slides to 9-14 on the season, while West Liberty jumps to 20-3. Frostburg returns home to host Wheeling this Saturday, February 15 at 2 PM. For more information please visit frostburgsports.com.