WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University women's basketball team was finally in front of the home crowd tonight after four straight road games to start the season. The Hilltoppers delivered for the Black and Gold faithful with a 78-68 win over Notre Dame College.

West Liberty ended the first half on a 14-6 run to increase its lead from two up to 10 at the break and never looked back.

The Hilltoppers led by double-digits for nearly the entire second half and pushed it to as high as 18 at the 3:50 mark in the third quarter when Arriana Manzay capped off a 9-0 run with a lay-in.

In the opening period, West Liberty bolted out in front to a 20-6 advantage, but Notre Dame answered with a 13-2 run to bring it back within one possession. The teams traded runs at the start of the second quarter before West Liberty took control of the contest.

Karly McCutcheon netted a game-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting with four three's. Manzay posted her second straight double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. 

Sonia Sarda added 12 points off the bench and Grace Faulk scored 10 featuring a pair of triples.

The Hilltoppers shot 76% in the first half and ended the night with a 59.6% mark from the field, while holding the Falcons to 37.3% shooting. 

West Liberty is 2-0 in Mountain East Conference play for the first time in the Coach Cooper era. 

The Hilltoppers will be back in action next Wednesday (November 30) inside the ASRC against West Virginia Wesleyan. Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.

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

Postgame Interviews

Karly McCutcheon & Arriana Manzay


Head Coach Kyle Cooper