WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Senior sharpshooter Morgan Brunner and her West Liberty University women's basketball teammates made quite an impression from the 3-point arc and the charity stripe during the first semester.
    Brunner, a 5-9 guard from Wheeling, W.Va. who led the nation in 3-point field goals a year ago, has picked up right where she left off. At the Christmas holiday break, the Youngstown State transfer ranked No. 1 nationally in three separate statistical categories: 3-point field goals (52), 3-point field goal attempts (134) and free throw percentage (47-of-49, .959).
    The Hilltopper standout – who also ranks 14^th in scoring at 21.1 ppg. – is on pace to become the first NCAA Division II woman to lead the nation in 3-point field goals and free throw percentage in the same season.
    Coach Kyle Cooper's Lady Hilltoppers have been making good use of the 3-point arc at both ends of the court this season. Not only does West Liberty rank No. 2 nationally with 133 3-pointers and 11.1 3FGs/Game, the Lady Hilltoppers lead all NCAA Division II teams with 405 3-point attempts.
    What often gets overlooked, however, is WLU's prowess at defending the arc at the other end of the court. The Lady Hilltoppers rank No. 5 nationally – out of 308 NCAA D2 teams – in 3-point field goal percentage defense (25-of-106, .236). The 25 3-point field goals by West Liberty's opponents were the fewest allowed by any NCAA Division II women's team during the first semester.
    The dichotomy was especially noticeable during the Black and Gold's six December games. West Liberty rained in 79 3-point field goals over that span while holding their opponents to a total of just 9 bonus bombs in the six contests, shooting just 16.9 percent (25-of-106) from the 3-point line for the month.
    The Lady Hilltoppers remain idle this week after completing non-conference play with an 82-76 win – behind a season-high 7 3-pointers from Brunner – at Malone on Dec. 20. They return to the court on Jan. 8 with a crucial Mountain East Conference test at Concord. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. in Athens.