WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's basketball team moved up one spot in the latest NABC top 25 rankings Tuesday to No.16 as they prepare to host Salem University Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. inside the ASRC as part of Employee Appreciation Night. 

West Liberty enters the matchup averaging 90.8 points per game, once again ranking among the top-scoring teams in NCAA Division II, powered by a balanced offensive attack and one of the nation's best assist-to-turnover ratios (1.6 A/TO).

Through four games, WLU is shooting 45.4% from the field and 31.4% from three, while forcing 18 turnovers per game and scoring nearly 18 points off those miscues.

Key performers include:

• Jamie Muldowney – 17.3 ppg, 31 rebounds, 8 steals
   

• Dante Spadafora – 12.8 ppg, team-high 4.0 apg, .818 FT%
   

• Max Hurray – 9.5 ppg, .500 FG%
   

• Peter Lattos – 9.3 ppg, .586 FG%, strong presence on the glass
   

• Terrance Pankey Jr. – 8.5 ppg, .700 FG%, one of WLU's most efficient bench scorers
   

• Cameron Williams & Xavier Harris – both averaging 6–12 points and providing defensive intensity on the perimeter
   

The Hilltoppers enter Wednesday's matchup fresh off an 89–81 win over Shepherd, where they erupted for 51 second-half points and used a deep rotation (42 bench points) to pull away late.

Salem (3–1) brings in its most productive start in several seasons, now averaging 76.0 points per game with significant improvements in offensive efficiency. The Tigers shoot 45.1% from the field, including 21 made threes, and are among the best in the region at getting to the line—averaging 17.8 made free throws per game on 72.4% shooting.

The rebounding battle will be a focal point: Salem and its opponents are dead even at 38.0 rebounds per game through four contests.

Updated Salem Leaders

• Zahki Fallen — 20.5 ppg, 12 threes, .509 FG%, .480 3FG%
   

• Eman Lawal — 19.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg, .579 FG%, 30-of-41 from FT line
   

• Xavier Price — 9.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, .516 FG%
   

• Jamari Gamble — 8.5 ppg, 12-of-16 FT (.750), 7 steals
   

The Tigers force 12.8 turnovers per game while recording 9.0 steals, showing an active defensive front. Their weaknesses have been on the perimeter, where opponents have made 6.8 threes per game and shot 24.3% from deep, and in protecting the paint (allowing 17 blocks).

Series History

The all-time series is about as close as it gets—West Liberty holds a narrow 67–66 lead—but recent history has leaned heavily toward the Black and Gold.

West Liberty has won nine straight meetings dating back to 2014, including last season's:

• Feb. 26, 2025 – WLU 162–106 (Home)
   

• Nov. 26, 2024 – WLU 101–87 (Away)
   

WLU has scored 100+ points in seven of the last eight matchups.

What to Watch

• Tempo Battle: WLU thrives in chaos—averaging 19.3 assists and forcing 18 turnovers. Salem prefers a slower pace and relies on half-court execution.
   

• Perimeter Production: West Liberty makes 11 threes per game; Salem makes just 3.3.