LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The 4th ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 96-88 wire-to-wire victory over Missouri S&T Sunday night at the DII Holiday Hoops Classic.

West Liberty (10-1) stormed out of the gates to a 12-2 lead behind eight points from junior guard Bryce Butler and never looked back. The Miners (7-3) battled it back to a one-possession game near the 13 minute mark, but the Hilltoppers were able to stay ahead and get it back up to a double-digit advantage off a Steve Cannady jumper five minutes later. 

Chaz Hinds converted a lay-in to give West Liberty its largest lead of the opening half, 15-points, with three minutes on the clock, before Missouri S&T chipped away and made it a 54-42 contest at the break.

The Hilltoppers never let the game get within six points in the second half, and led by double figures for 14 of the final 15 minutes. West Liberty went on a five-plus minute stretch (11:27-6:09) where it made all 10 of its shot attempts, silencing any thought of a Miner comeback.

Butler finished with a game-high 29 points on 12-of-15 shooting including a pair of triples. Malik McKinney totaled 20 points, with nine from the free throw line, in 26 minutes of action. Cannady rounded out the trio of double-digit scorers with 13 points.

West Liberty assisted on 21 of its 36 made field goals, Christian Montague led all players with a season-high seven. 

The Black and Gold doubled the Miners production from beyond the arc, connecting on 6 triples in the game, while also holding a 56-44 edge in the paint.

West Liberty will return to the east coast and head to Bowie State for a New Year's Eve matinee matchup at 2 pm.

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