WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University men's basketball wraps up a three-game homestand to start the 2022 season tonight, as Pitt-Johnstown visits the hilltop for a 7 pm tip. 

THE BASICS
7:00 pm | Academic Sports & Recreation Complex
Pitt-Johnstown (2-0) vs. #8 West Liberty (2-0)
Live stats and video links can be viewed here.

THE HILLTOPPERS
West Liberty started the season with a pair of wins in front of the home crowd at the Atlantic Region Crossover, taking down PSAC opponents Shepherd (91-68) and California (Pa.) (94-85). After falling behind early to Shepherd the Hilltoppers took the lead at the 7:35 mark in the first half and never let it up and bolstering it to double-digits at the break. West Liberty put the opener away by holding the Rams scoreless for the final six minutes. In the weekend finale, the Hilltoppers got ahead by as many as 18-points nearly halfway through the second frame, but California (Pa.) would not give in and battled back within one-point with 2:30 to play. Zach Rasile and Christian Montague hit back-to-back three pointers to end the Vulcan comeback attempt.

Bryce Butler earned MEC Player of the Week honors after a stellar opening weekend, that featured two 30-point games. On Friday, Butler started the season with a 30-point, 10-rebound double-double, then came back the next night with 35 points and nine rebounds.

Steve Cannady (12.0) and Zach Rasile (11.5) each averaged double-digits last weekend and led the team with five three pointers each. Christian Montague had 10 assists in the two games, and added 13 points with nine rebounds in the Cal (Pa,) win.

West Liberty out-rebounded its opposition in both games to start the year and pulled down 13 offensive boards in each game. The Black and Gold dished out 50 assists, on 70 made field goals, and committed 30 turnovers for a 1.67 assist-to-turnover ratio. Defensively, West Liberty forced 42 turnovers and made 21 steals.

The Hilltoppers shot 46.4% in the first two games and went 21-of-71 from deep for 29.6%.

THE MOUNTAIN CATS
Pitt-Johnstown hosted its version of the Atlantic Region Crossover last weekend, hosting Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Lock Haven. The Mountain Cats got off to a 2-0 start with a 73-51 win over Wesleyan and 72-65 victory over Charleston.

John Paul Kromka, a 6-7 senior, averaged 18.5 points on opening weekend and converted 73.9% of his shot attempts down low. Guards Joe Batt (11.5) Andy Zuchelli (10.0) both averaged double figures for Pitt-Johnstown. Kromka and Jared Jakubick pulled down 12 boards in the two games. From long range, Jakubick and Batt each hit five threes to pace the long range attack.

The Blue and Gold shot the ball at an even 50% clip (57-of-114) and drained 41.5% of their three-point attempts. Defensively, Pitt-Johnstown held opponents to 36% shooting. The Mountain Cats committed just 20 turnovers over the two games, with just six last game versus Charleston, for a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Pitt-Johnstown is coming off back-to-back-20-win seasons, going 21-9 in 2021-22, with four starters and seven of the team's top-eight contributors returning led by Kromka, who was named an NABC All-American and has won three PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year awards.

THE SERIES
West Liberty has gone 14-7 all-time against Pitt-Johnstown in a series that dates back to the 1929-30 season. The Hilltoppers have won each of the last nine meetings, including a 95-83 win last November in Johnstown. The last home game versus the Mountain Cats was nine years ago, on January 5, 2013, in which West Liberty hit the century mark and won 101-92.

NEXT UP
West Liberty travels to Philippi, W.Va. for its first road game and conference opener on Saturday against Alderson Broaddus. Tip off is slated for 4 pm.

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