FROSTBURG, Md. -- The West Virginia State University men's basketball team was edged by Frostburg State, 77-71, after a week-long hiatus on Wednesday night. The Yellow Jackets went down by 25 points late in the first half and nearly pulled off another comeback victory.

WVSU falls to 6-2 in the Mountain East Conference with the loss while FSU jumps to 3-5 with the win.

Both Anthony Pittman and Jeremiah Moore registered double-doubles in the contest. Pittman led his team in scoring and rebounding with 17 points and 16 boards. His stat line also included seven assists, two blocks, and two steals. Meanwhile, Moore scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to go along with a block and a steal.

West Virginia State fell behind early in the first half. The Yellow Jackets trailed by 14-points when the first media timeout was taken six minutes into the opening period, 20-6. Four minutes later, WVSU used its first timeout to settle and readjust after the deficit widened to 16 points, 27-11.

The latter half of the opening period was increasingly difficult for West Virginia State. From the eight-minute mark until the four-minute mark, Frostburg State scored 13 unanswered to pull further in front, 46-21. 

In the final minute of the first half, the Yellow Jackets caught the Bobcats sleeping and caused two turnovers that were converted into points. A three-pointer by Treohn Watkins and a layup as the clock expired from Glen Abram capped a 9-0 run in favor of WVSU. West Virginia State was still behind by 16-points going into halftime, 46-30.

Both teams struggled to light up the scoreboard at the start of the second half. Glen Abram made a single free-throw to open the half. Each side then hit one jumper and one shot from behind the arc. After five minutes, the Yellow Jackets still needed to close a 15-point gap, 51-36.

Following the first commercial timeout of the second period, WVSU exploded on a remarkable 19-4 run that tied the game up at 55-all with eight minutes left in the contest. The Yellow Jackets shot 8-of-8 from the floor during the six-minute stretch to erase the deficit. The Bobcats conversely shot 2-of-12 from the floor over the same period of play.

The next six minutes were more of a back-and-forth affair with baskets being traded for the most part. With two minutes remaining in the contest, Frostburg State was one shot in front, 71-69. 

The Bobcats made a quick layup to go up by four before Glen Abram drew a foul and made both of his shots from the foul line, 73-71. Frostburg State then came up with another two points without an answer by West Virginia State on the ensuing possession. The Bobcats were sent to the charity stripe once in the final 30 seconds and made both attempts to close out the game.

The Yellow Jackets will return to Institute for their next game against Fairmont State on Saturday, Feb. 6. The tip is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.