WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty dropped an 80–67 decision to Tiffin on Saturday afternoon  at the ASRC, as the Dragons used a decisive fourth-quarter surge to pull away after three tightly contested periods.

The Hilltoppers (4–6, 1–2 MEC) stayed within striking distance throughout, forcing turnovers and converting them into 21 points. Tiffin (6–5, 1–3 G-MAC), however, controlled the paint with 50 points inside and outscored West Liberty 29–14 in the final quarter to seal the victory.

The opening quarter featured a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to gain separation. Anna Lucarelli tied the game at 7–7 with a fast-break layup midway through the period, and Olivia Baker later connected on a three-pointer in the closing minute to briefly give West Liberty the lead. The quarter ended even at 16–16.

West Liberty found momentum in the second quarter, putting together a 10–0 run capped by a Dria Parker three-pointer at the 5:29 mark. Lucarelli continued to spark the offense with a layup and an assist during the stretch. Despite a late push from Tiffin, Ana-Isabel Andersson finished the half with a buzzer-beating layup to send the Hilltoppers into the locker room with a 36–31 advantage.

The Hilltoppers maintained their edge into the third quarter. Jameka Brungard converted a layup and free throw at 4:54, and Lucarelli closed the period with a timely steal and fast-break basket in the final minute to give West Liberty a narrow 53–51 lead heading into the fourth.

Tiffin seized control early in the final frame, opening the quarter with a run that turned the two-point deficit into a multi-possession lead. West Liberty battled to stay close, with Lucarelli scoring on a fast break at 4:59 to trim the margin to 63–62, but the Dragons continued to capitalize at the free-throw line and in the paint to pull away down the stretch.

Lucarelli led all scorers with 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting and added three steals. Andersson  directed the offense with seven assists, while Brungard paced the Hilltoppers on the glass with seven rebounds. Kaleigh Norris added a three-pointer and finished with six rebounds.

West Liberty will be off for the holiday break before returning to action on Jan. 3, when the Hilltoppers travel to Davis & Elkins to resume conference play.