EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Two of the most successful programs in the history of NCAA Division II basketball collide tonight in a much-anticipated Elite Eight quarterfinal matchup when No. 18 West Liberty takes on No. 4 Northwest Missouri State.
The first quarterfinal of the evening session is set for a 7 p.m. (EDT) tipoff at the Ford Center.
Returning to the Elite 8 for the sixth time since 2011, Coach
Ben Howlett's Hilltoppers (18-4) punched their ticket with a 78-61 rout of No. 9 Hillsdale (Mich.) in the Atlantic Region final.
The Bearcats (25-2) are playing in their fifth Elite 8, having won it all in 2017 and 2019. NW Missouri rallied past No. 2 Northern State (S.D.), 91-86, in an overtime thriller to win the Central Division Regional.
Click on the photo above to hear Coach Howlett and the players talk about tonight's matchup and their Elite Eight experience.
Tonight's opponents are no strangers to the bright lights of NCAA post-season basketball.
The Hilltoppers are playing in their 12
th consecutive NCAA D2 Tournament – the longest active streak in the nation – and their 29-11 (.725) winning percentage ranks among the Top 5 all-time in Division II. The Bearcats, who have won two of the last three national championships, are making their 21
st NCAA D2 Tournament appearance and own a 31-20 (.608) record in NCAA play.
West Liberty fans unable to attend tonight's game can access the contest through a variety of platforms.
Live video stream telecasts and live stats for all four Elite Eight quarterfinal games will be provided by the NCAA on its main website –
www.NCAA.com.
Specific links to access the live stream/live stats telecast for the WLU/NWMSU contest along with links to full game notes from West Liberty and Northwest Missouri State, the NCAA Division II interactive tournament bracket and the NCAA Division II Elite Eight championship program are provided below.
NCAA D2 ELITE EIGHT LINKS
West Liberty/NW Missouri State Live Video/Live Stats
West Liberty Game Notes
NW Missouri State Game Notes
NCAA D2 Elite Eight Program
NCAA D2 Tournament Bracket
