WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University women's basketball team outscored Tiffin 33-9 in the third quarter to flip the script and take control of the game on way to a 79-66 victory this afternoon inside the ASRC.

The Hilltoppers snap a two-game losing skid with the win and improve to 6-4 on the season, while dropping the Dragons to 4-9.

After a back-and-forth seven minutes to begin the game, Tiffin scored eight of the final 10 points in the first quarter to build a six-point advantage. The Dragon lead quickly got to 10 early in the second frame, but five straight points by Arriana Manzay kickstarted a run to cut the 'Toppers deficit to two points at the 6:22 mark. Tiffin answered right back with an 8-0 spurt to go back up double-digits with just under two minutes remaining in the first half, and ended up taking an eight point lead to the locker room.

The Dragons scored the opening basket of the third quarter and then it was lights out. West Liberty made nine straight shots, six of which three pointers, over the ensuing five minutes for a 24-0 run, the longest of the season. Grace Faulk netted three triples during the run to highlight four different scorers. 

The Hilltoppers shot 13-of-15 from the floor and went 7-for-7 from long range in the third period, while holding Tiffin to 4-for-16 shooting and just one three. Natalija Sekulovska beat the buzzer with a step through in the lane to give the Black and Gold a 16-point lead (58-42) heading to the final 10 minutes. 

West Liberty was able to maintain the lead throughout the fourth frame and got it to as many as 20-points (70-50) at the 4:11 mark off Sekulovska's third three pointer of the game.

Manzay earned her fifth double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while also showing off her passing skills with five assists. Faulk drained four three pointers in five attempts and ended with a season-high 18 points, 11 of which came in the big third quarter. Sekulovska totaled a career-high in the Black and Gold scoring 17 points off the bench, her second straight double-digit scoring game, and pulled down seven rebounds.

Anna Lucarelli tied her career-high with seven assists, as West Liberty assisted on 21 of its 27 made field goals. The Hilltoppers finished the game 11-for-22 (50%) from beyond the arc, the best mark of the season so far.

West Liberty will be back in action on New Year's Eve inside the ASRC playing host to #2 Ashland. Tip off is scheduled for 2 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

Head Coach Kyle Cooper


Arriana Manzay, Grace Faulk, and Natalija Sekulovska