PITTSBURGH – Frostburg State outlasted Point Park in a back-and-forth battle on Saturday afternoon at CCAC, coming away with a 79-76 win after five minutes of bonus basketball.
The game featured 10 ties and 11 lead changes.
With the game tied at 68-68 with 1:26 to play in regulation, Point Park made a stop on the defensive end and
Kaden Warner grabbed the rebound and connected on a pull-up jumper at the other end to give the Pioneers the lead with 25 seconds remaining.
However, Trey Simmons quickly took the inbound pass for the Bobcats and finished at the other end to tie the game once again.
After a Point Park timeout with four seconds to play, Warner got off a last second attempt, but the shot rimmed off to force overtime.
Overtime was more of the same.
With the score tied 74-74, Warner finished at the rim on the driving layup to give the Pioneers the lead with 30 seconds to play. But at the other end, Simmons gave the Bobcats the lead for good on an and-one finish at the rim. After he connected on the free throw attempt, Frostburg State led 77-76 with 12 seconds remaining.
Point Park got the ball back, but Frostburg State forced a turnover and the Pioneers had to foul with just four seconds remaining.
Simmons put Frostburg State in front by three (79-76) at the free throw line, and Point Park brought the ball down and got another last second three-point attempt by Warner, but it rimmed off and Frostburg State held on for the win.
Aidan Anderson finished the game with 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to lead the Pioneers.
Jaylen Stewart added 15 points and four assists.
Kaden Warner also finished the evening with 14 points and six rebounds, while
Grant Welch chipped in 13.
Rob Keys came off the bench to score six.
Point Park outshot Frostburg State 46.2%-to-38.5% in the setback. However, Frostburg State scored 20 of its points from the free throw line as Point Park was called for eight more fouls in the game (18-10).
Simmons finished the evening with 35 points to lead Frostburg State. He went 9-of-22 from the floor and 15-of-19 from the free throw line. The Bobcats also got 14 points from Mitch Finefrock and 11 points and 12 rebounds from Kyle Whippen.
Point Park will remain at home to host West Liberty on Wednesday evening at CCAC. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.
