WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - It had a postseason feel here inside the Academic, Sports, and Recreation Center on just the second night of the season. California (Pa), fresh off an NCAA Regional Championship appearance a season ago, battled it out with the eighth ranked Hilltoppers and it was West Liberty left standing at the end to improve to 2-0 on the young season with a 94-85 victory.

West Liberty scored first and never trailed, but it was not as easy as that sounds. California dug deep and turned what was once an 18-point game with 12:50 to play into a one-point game with just under two and a half left.

Zach Rasile and Christian Montague connected on back-to-back three pointers to answer the Vulcan run. Steve Cannady made a floater in the lane and Rasile converted two free throws to bring the lead back up to double digits and ultimately put it away.

The Hilltoppers surged ahead to a 16-point lead at the eight minute mark in the first half thanks to a 15-0 scoring run. Rasile poured in 10, of his 15 on the night, during the run with a pair of layups and three pointers. Ben Sarson capped it off with a slam dunk off a pick-and-roll with Finley Woodward.

West Liberty took a 16-point advantage (47-31) into the locker room and got it up to 18 twice in the second half before the Cal comeback commenced.

Bryce Butler netted his second straight 30-point game to start the season with 35 tonight on 14-of-21 shooting and a perfect 7-for-7 mark at the stripe. Butler did a lot of his work around the basket helping the Hilltoppers to a 54-36 scoring advantage in the paint. He also pulled down nine boards tying Montague for the team lead.

Montague filled the stat sheet along with his nine rebounds, he had 13 points including three triples and dished out a game-high six assists.

Sarson added 10 points to round out four Hilltoppers in double-digits.10 players scored for the Black and Gold in the game. 

West Liberty finishes its three game homestand to start the season on Wednesday night against Pitt-Johnstown. Tip off is scheduled for 7 pm inside the ASRC.

Follow Hilltopper basketball all season online at HilltopperSports.com and on Twitter (@WLU_Hoops | @WLathletics), Instagram (@wlu_mbb | @wlu_athletics), and Facebook.

Postgame Interview

Head Coach Ben Howlett