November 9th, 2024 by WCBC Radio
Frostburg State Women's Basketball team opened up their season in the Jim Crawley Conference Challenge with a drama-filled 66-63 comeback victory over Winston-Salem State on Friday evening.
WSSU earned the first points of the game on a layup, to which sophomore Jenna Muha responded with an offensive putback. From that point, the first half belonged to the Rams, going on a 10-0 run before freshman Julie Spinelli finally broke a four-minute scoring drought with a three. The visitors didn't let up, as they put in 10 of the final 13 points of the quarter to hold a 22-8 lead going into the second. FSU turned the ball over 11 times, which led to 14 WSSU points, while shooting just 3-of-12 from the field.
It took over three minutes for the Bobcats to find the net in period two, which turned into a back-and-forth scoring affair on buckets from Spinelli, graduate Sarah Shamdeen, and senior Emilee Weakley resulting in a 28-14 score. Frostburg tried to use their newfound offense into a sustained comeback, with seniors Harley Herndon and Taylor Smith each putting in a layup, the latter converting an and-one to cut the deficit to nine. Smith's free throw with just under four minutes on the clock would be the last FSU score, however, as the Rams netted the final six points of the quarter to lead 34-19 at the half.
It seemed as if the Bobcat woes would continue into the second half, with WSSU forcing another turnover and scoring the first four points for a 19-point advantage. Sophomore Alanna Tate got the offense going again, being found by Smith for a layup plus the foul, while Weakley and sophomore Grace Middleton traded buckets up to a 42-26 game. With six and a half minutes on the clock, Frostburg kicked into high gear, as Muha drove in for a layup followed by Weakley nailing a trey before surging down the court for a lay-in to get back within nine. A Kierran Walker three put her team back up by 12, but that would be the Rams' largest lead the rest of the way, as FSU went on an 11-0 run to pull all the way back within one.
Weakley started the momentum with a putback, while a turnover allowed Shamdeen to hit from deep, then Tate capitalized on another free possession before Smith found her and Weakley for a pair of easy baskets at 45-44. WSSU broke a three-and-a-half minute scoring drought with a bucket in the paint, then had the final four of the frame on two Chloe Williams layups after Shamdeen had gone two-of-two at the line for a 51-46 lead.
Williams could only make split her trip at the line to start the fourth, as Weakley had the first four for the Bobcats and then found Tate for a stunning 52-52 tie with just over six minutes to go. The Rams hit back with a basket in the lane, then Weakley was fouled, hitting both at the charity stripe and making another layup to give Frostburg their first lead at 56-54. Two Ram free throws tied things again, but after another Weakley coast-to-coast bucket, only went one-of-two to fall behind 58-57 with FSU in possession. Weakley missed a jumper in the paint, but Smith was alert to it, grabbing the offensive board and eventually finding herself open in the corner for a trey to go up 61-57.
With just 42 seconds left, WSSU kept themselves in the game and hyped up the bench with an and-one, but Spinelli answered immediately with a three to go back up four. Looking to close things out, the Bobcats were stunned with a long-range trey from Karina Scott that kept the Rams within touching distance. A pair of fouls put FSU in the bonus and Weakley at the line, where she could only make one of her two chances. Coming out of a WSSU timeout, the visitors had a great chance to tie the game on a lay-in, but couldn't get the ball in, then had another try after a scramble for the rebound resulted in a jump ball, staying in possession. The Rams still were unable to get a clean look, as Frostburg's defense forced a turnover. Spinelli received the inbound and was immediately fouled, hitting one of her two to go up by three. WSSU rolled the ball out in a last-second heave to try sending things to overtime, but the shot fell short as the Bobcats came away 66-63 winners.
Weakley poured in a game-high 24 points and 12 boards to begin her season with a double-double, with Tate following on 11 points. Smith stuffed the stat sheet with a team-highs in both assists (3) and steals (4), pulling down a pair of offensive boards as well. After shooting under 25% for the first half, FSU rebounded to hit 40% from the field for the game.
With the win, Frostburg begins their season 1-0, while Winston-Salem State falls to 0-1. Both teams will play in the second day of the Jim Crawley Conference Challenge on Saturday, November 9, with the Bobcats hosting Pitt-Johnstown at 3 p.m. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.
