LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The 4th ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team dropped its first game of the season tonight, 91-83, to Lubbock Christian in the DII Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas.

The Hilltoppers fall to 9-1 on the season, while Lubbock Christian improves to 6-3.

West Liberty hit eight three pointers in the first half and took a six point edge (42-36) into the break. After the Chaps opened the scoring, Bryce Butler scored five in a row and the Hilltoppers never trailed again in the first half. A Chaz Hinds triple at the six minute mark extended the lead to 10 points (29-19), the highest of the game for WLU.

Lubbock Christian came out of the locker room and tied things up four minutes in at 51 and then took its first lead since 3-0 on the next possession. The Hilltoppers punched right back with an 11-2 run to regain the lead and more, 62-55, capped off by a Ben Sarson triple at the 12:30 mark.

West Liberty maintained a lead of two-to-three possessions for the ensuing seven minutes, but could not break it open. Malik McKinney scored in the paint with just over eight minutes to play to push the advantage to nine points, the Hilltoppers largest of the second half. The Chaps answered McKinney's bucket with an 11-2 run to tie it up at the final media timeout. 

Lubbock Christian took the lead with just under three minutes to play and never let it go to hold on for the win. West Liberty could not find the bottom of the net late, ending the game 2-for-18 from the floor over the final seven minutes. The 'Toppers connected on just three long balls the entire second half, finishing 11-for-34 from beyond the arc in the game, while the Chaps shot 59% from the floor and made 20 free throws in the final 20 minutes to complete the comeback victory.

Butler totaled a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds. Ben Sarson netted 16 points, 13 of which in the second half, with three triples. Steve Cannady added 14, while Zach Rasile scored 10, all in the first half.

The Hilltoppers owned a 15-8 edge on the offensive glass, led by Sarson, Cannady, and McKinney all with three.

West Liberty will be back on the court in Vegas in the nightcap tomorrow against Missouri S&T. Tip off is scheduled for 11 pm est.

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