Tiffin, Ohio – The West Liberty University women's basketball team fell short on Friday in a 79-67 loss to Tiffin University, but the game marked a significant career milestone for junior Bailee Smith.
Smith, who entered the game needing 17 points to join the elite 1,000-point club, hit the mark exactly, becoming the 39th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. Remarkably, she accomplished this milestone in just 70 career games.
Jenna Riccardo paced the Hilltoppers with a team-high 19 points, helping West Liberty to a 36-31 lead at halftime. The Hilltoppers maintained a narrow advantage, holding a 59-58 lead with 8:39 left in the fourth quarter. However, the Dragons mounted an 8-0 run to seize control and pulled ahead 66-59. West Liberty was unable to counter as Tiffin surged ahead, outscoring the Hilltoppers 24-10 in the final period.
The loss drops West Liberty to 5-7 overall (3-2 MEC), while Tiffin improves to 6-4 on the season (1-2 GMAC).
The Hilltoppers will now break for the holidays and return to the court on January 8 with a road matchup against Frostburg State.
Game Details:
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Final Score: West Liberty 67, Tiffin 79
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Venue: Gillmor Center, Tiffin, Ohio
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Records:
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West Liberty: 5-7 overall, 3-2 MEC
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Tiffin: 6-4 overall, 1-2 GMAC
