West Liberty, W.Va. – The No. 6 West Liberty men's basketball team clinched their eighth consecutive Mountain East Conference (MEC) championship in style on Saturday, defeating county rival Wheeling 119-103 at the ASRC.
Before the game, three seniors were recognized: Lanyc Shuler, Daniel Autrey, and JJ Harper.
With the win, the Hilltoppers secured their 11th MEC title in the 12-year history of the conference, finishing the regular season with a 25-3 overall record and an 18-2 mark in league play. West Liberty closed out the season on a 13-game winning streak, asserting their dominance heading into the postseason.
Leading 63-56 at halftime, the Hilltoppers wasted no time extending their lead in the second half, opening with a commanding 19-6 run to seize full control of the game.
Kyler D'Augustino paced the high-powered offense with 23 points, while Kameron Tinsley delivered an impressive performance with 22 points and seven rebounds. Lanyc Shuler contributed 19 points and four assists, and JJ Harper stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks. Finley Woodward added 16 points, seven assists, and three steals, rounding out a balanced attack.
West Liberty now turns its focus to the Mountain East Conference Tournament at WesBanco Arena, where they will enter as the No. 1 seed.
Game Details:
Final Score: West Liberty 119, Wheeling 103
Venue: ASRC
Attendance: 1,153
Records:
