WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The intensity should be at a fever pitch tonight when No. 9 Hillsdale (Mich.) and No. 18 West Liberty lock horns in a Sweet 16 matchup with an NCAA D2 Atlantic Region title and Elite Eight Tournament berth on the line.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (EDT) inside the ASRC.
Coach John Tharp's Chargers (21-2) crushed No. 3 Mercyhurst, 67-48, in Sunday's semifinal behind a game-high 29 points from G-MAC Player of the Year Patrick Cartier.
Coach
Ben Howlett's Hilltoppers (17-4) buried No. 15 Charleston, 82-63, behind two-time All-MEC sharpshooter Pat Robinson's 32 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday's other semifinal.
Hillsdale is making its NCAA Division II 'Sweet 16" debut. The Chargers, who advanced to a pair of NAIA Final Fours during the 1980s, have posted a 2-5 record in six NCAA Tournament trips.
Playing in its 12th straight NCAA Tournament and 13th overall, West Liberty has compiled a 28-11 record in NCAA post-season action. The Hilltoppers are 23-5 in Atlantic Regional play and have won 5 regional titles. This is their 9th regional championship game since 2010.
Despite being upset victims in their respective conference tournaments, both teams have been scorching down the stretch. Hillsdale has won 18 of its last 19 games heading into tonight's regional final while the Black and Gold have come out on top in 13 of their last 14 outings.
Tonight's winner advances to the 2021 NCAA Division II Elite Eight, scheduled for March 24-27 in Evansville, Ind.
Fans unable to attend tonight's game can access the contest through a variety of platforms.
Live video stream telecasts and live stats will be provided on the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament Central page. In addition, the West Liberty sports information department is supplying full West Liberty game notes along with links to the NCAA Division II Tournament scoreboard and the interactive NCAA Division II Tournament bracket.
NCAA D2 ATLANTIC REGION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LINKS
Tournament Central Page
West Liberty-Hillsdale Live Video Stream
West Liberty-Hillsdale Live Game Stats
West Liberty Game Notes
NCAA Division II Tournament Scoreboard
NCAA Division II Tournament Bracket
