Men's Basketball | 12/31/2019 4:00:00 PM

    WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University men's basketball program is once again at or near the top of the NCAA Division II charts in multiple statistical categories as the Black and Gold prepare for second semester action.
    Coach Ben Howlett's youthful Hilltoppers have cracked the century mark an NCAA Division II-best eight times in their first 12 games – no other NCAA D2 team had more than six 100-point games before Christmas – and carry a 103.8 ppg. scoring average into the new year but that's not all.
    One of only a handful of NCAA Division II programs with no seniors on the roster, West Liberty leads all NCAA D2 teams in steals (161) and steals/game (13.4) while ranking among the Top 10 nationally (out of 308 teams) in no less than 10 statistical categories.
    Howlett's Hilltoppers rank No. 2 in scoring (103.8 ppg.) and scoring margin (+26.7), No. 3 in 3-point field goal percentage (43.5) and turnover margin (+8.3), No. 5 in turnovers forced (21.6/game), No. 7 in assists (232) and No. in 3-point field goals (143) and offensive rebounds (14.8/game).
    Despite this season's changes and challenges, this is business as usual on the hilltop as West Liberty has led the nation in at least one statistical category for 14 consecutive seasons.
    The Hilltoppers have collected a staggering total of 58 national statistical championship plaques over that span, far more than any of the nation's other 300-plus NCAA Division II basketball programs.
    West Liberty has won 11 of the last 14 national scoring titles, scoring more points and making more 3-pointers than any other NCAA D2 program during those 14 years, but the Hilltoppers' plaques cover a broad spectrum of accomplishments.
    Included among the numerous scoring and 3-point championships are multiple awards denoting national season bests in Winning Percentage, Total Assists, Assists/Game, Assist/Turnover Ratio, Turnover Margin, Total Steals, Steals/Game, Team Free Throw Percentage and Team 3FG Percentage.
    Not surprisingly, those big numbers on the stat sheets have produced big numbers in the win column over the years.
    Howlett, now in his third season at the helm, was one of the fastest coaches to reach 50 wins in NCAA history. He hit that milestone in just his 57^th career game last winter.
    The Hilltoppers have averaged 30 wins a season over the past decade, winning 9 of the last 10 conference championships (West Virginia Conference and Mountain East Conference) during that span. They've won more games and lost fewer games than any other NCAA Division II program while earning 10 consecutive NCAA D2 Tournament berths.
    A familiar face on the national stage, West Liberty has played in 8 of the last 10 NCAA Division II "Sweet 16s" while advancing to five "Elite Eights" and four "Final Fours." The Hilltoppers have a 26-10 (.722) record in NCAA Tournament play since the 2009-10 season.
    After ringing out 2019 with three straight wins by an average score of 107-67, the Black and Gold rings in the New Year on Jan. 8 with a trip to Concord. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Carter Center.