February 9th, 2025 by WCBC Radio
Frostburg State Men's Basketball team lost to Charleston (WV) 84-68 at home on Saturday. UC opened the game with a three late in the shot clock, then after misses from both teams, junior Chase Whippen got FSU on the board with a drive to the hoop, getting fouled and knocking in both free throws. The Golden Eagles got some separation with a pair of dunks either side of a split trip to the line and a lay-in from junior Jaden Baker, then hit another from behind the arc to lead 11-4.
Senior JayShaun Freeman hit back with one of his own, then graduate Eric Sondberg got to the cup to pull within four. Keeping the momentum going, Freeman caught a spark with a pair of treys either side of a steal-and-score, suddenly handing the Bobcats a 17-15 advantage. Charleston came right back with another deep make, an offensive tip-in, and a quick layup to go back up five.
Sondberg quelled the run with a triple, then Whippen knocked down another couple freebies as the game turned into a back-and-forth affair. Two straight Golden Eagle buckets were answered by a pull-up Freeman jumper and a Whippen layup, then Baker traded lay-ins with UC for a 28-28 tie. Baker drove the lane once again to gain the lead, then Baptiste followed up a three-point miss with a putback to hold a four-point advantage. Charleston would only allow one more score for the final three and a half minutes, a sophomore Zane McCarty mid-range, while regularly getting to the rim and polishing off the half with a three that put them up 39-34.
Coming out of the half, Sondberg worked his way to the lane to pull within three, but that would be as close as Frostburg got the rest of the way, with the Golden Eagles locking down again on defense. Over three minutes went by before another FSU bucket, as a pair of layups and triples gave the visitors a 52-36 lead before sophomore Vilius Slanina was found by Baptiste from behind the arc. Charleston came right back again, scoring seven unanswered to move ahead by 20.
Redshirt freshman Blake Burrows went perfect at the stripe on two trips before Baptiste hit from range and got a quick score off a steal, breathing life back into the Bobcats now trailing 59-48. UC broke a three-minute drought of their own with a close basket, as Freeman and Sondberg hit back with treys that kept the deficit at 10. Back-to-back Golden Eagle buckets kept them at arms' length, as Baker and Slanina combined for FSU's next six points to bring things to 71-62 with five minutes to go.
As time ticked down, Whippen split a pair at the line, then Baker made a late three in hopes of inspiring a comeback, but defensively the Bobcats weren't able to get the stops needed. UC scored on four of their final five possessions, as Sonbderg had the final FSU score with the final reading 84-68.
Freeman (18), Sondberg (12), and Baker (11) all reached double figures, while Baptiste added team-highs in steals (5) and assists (3). With the loss, Frostburg falls to 9-13, while Charleston improves to 12-9. FSU returns to the road to face West Liberty on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.
