FROSTBURG, MD - With just three games remaining in the regular season the Tigers (4-21) traveled out to Maryland to take on the Bobcats (16-9) of Frostburg State University. Earlier this season the two squads faced off at the Tiger Den in Salem, WV where the visiting Bobcats took one on the Tigers home court. Salem came into today's matchup looking to return the favor.\

It was Salem who score first on a quick possession after the opening tip where Elena Pericic converted her look at the rim for two. The Bobcats came in scorching hot, ripping off a 7-0 run in less than a minute on the Tigers. Pericic was able to stop the bleeding with another bucket for two, but the Tiger defense had no answers for Frostburg. The Bobcats proceeded on another run, this one a 12-0 run to balloon their lead up to fifteen with just over two minutes to play in the first quarter. Salem's Anna Machytkova began to heat up as the quarter came to a close with the final five points for the Tigers coming from her. After this short burst of offense, the Tigers found themselves in a 9-21 hole as the first quarter came to a close. 

The Tigers shook off their first-quarter offensive struggles and began the second quarter on a positive note with a 5-0 Tiger run to trim the deficit to single digits. The Bobcats scored at the rim hoping to stop Salem's momentum, but the Tigers responded immediately with a bucket of their own from Liliani Krause. The Tigers and Bobcats continued to trade blows throughout the second quarter with neither team willing to give away their edge. With two minutes remaining before the half Salem's fatigue began to set in, and they could not continue to play with the pace that had led them to a successful quarter. Frostburg took advantage and jumped on the Tigers to close the half with a 7-0 run to grow their back to double digits at the half. Going into the third quarter the Tigers were down 27-38. 

After an extended break and time to get their legs back the Salem offense was back in full swing to start the second half. This time the Tigers reeled off a 6-0 run to make it a two-possession game with buckets from Elena Pericic, Carine Pinkney, and Cassandra Smith. Once the Bobcats settled in their offense began to hum like the Tigers had been out of the gate. Once again the two teams went back-and-forth swapping buckets and struggling to get stops. Once again the Tigers found themselves in a one-possession game with a few minutes left in the quarter and once again fatigue became an issue. Over the final minute and a half of the third quarter Salem's offense failed to score, allowing the Bobcats to grow their lead at the free-throw line before the fourth quarter. After three periods of play, Salem was down 46-55.

This time it was Frostburg who took the early advantage, trying to close the door on the Tigers. Frostburg went on a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter and extend their lead to eighteen points with just over six minutes remaining in the game. The Tigers looked like they may begin to chip away at the lead after back-to-back baskets from Emerson Wells and Elena Pericic, but the Bobcat offense was too much to handle for Salem. For every bucket the Tigers got it seemed that Frostburg had a response. The Tiger offense exploded to end the game, ripping off an 11-0 run to end the game which included three shots from deep for the Tigers, but it was too little too late. Salem dropped their second meeting of the year against the Bobcats with a final score of 63-72.

The Tigers will return home for Senior Night this Wednesday, February 28th at 5:30 pm for the Tigers final home game of the 2023-24 regular season. Salem is set to take on the Cardinals (16-9) of Wheeling University.

SALEM STAT LEADERS

Points: Anna Machytkova (14)

Assists: Carine Pinkney (4)

Rebounds: Elena Pericic (9)

Blocks: Elena Pericic (3)