West Liberty, W.Va. – The No. 6-ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team will look to secure their 25th win of the season and clinch the outright Mountain East Conference (MEC) regular-season championship when they face off against county rival Wheeling University on Saturday at the ASRC.

LAST TIME OUT FOR WEST LIBERTY

West Liberty made history in their last outing, dismantling Salem 162-106. The Hilltoppers set a new program record for points scored in a single game while also notching a record 44 assists. Every WLU player reached double figures, with John Dragas leading the charge with a career-high 29 points. The win marked West Liberty's 12th consecutive victory, the longest active streak in the MEC.

SERIES HISTORY VS. WHEELING

Saturday's matchup will mark the 172nd all-time meeting between the two programs. West Liberty holds a commanding 101-70 advantage in the series. The Hilltoppers claimed a 99-92 victory over Wheeling in their first meeting this season on January 25. WLU has won four straight games against the Cardinals and 14 of the last 15 matchups.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP PEDIGREE

With their recent win over Concord, West Liberty has secured at least a share of the MEC title for the eighth consecutive season. The Hilltoppers have dominated the conference, winning 11 of the 12 MEC regular-season titles since the league's inception and 15 of the last 16 dating back to their tenure in the WVIAC.

HILLTOPPER STAT CHECK

West Liberty has been an offensive powerhouse this season, leading the MEC in multiple statistical categories, including:

• Points per game: 99.8

• Margin of victory: 15.3

• Three-pointers made: 321

• Turnovers forced: 529

• Turnover margin: +9.26

• Assist-to-turnover ratio: 2.1

• Total assists: 601 (22.26 per game)

• Steals: 279 (10.3 per game)

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE

The ASRC has been a fortress for the Hilltoppers, boasting an all-time record of 325-41 (.888). In conference play, WLU holds a 226-32 (.876) record at home. The Hilltoppers have won 139 of their last 147 home games, making them one of the toughest teams to beat on their own court.

TEAM RECORDS & STANDINGS

West Liberty Hilltoppers

• Record (MEC): 24-3, (17-2)

• Streak: W-12

• Last Game: 2/26 vs. Salem (W, 162-106)

• Next Game: 3/7 @ MEC Tournament

• Head Coach: Ben Howlett (8th Season)

Wheeling Cardinals

• Record (MEC): 11-16, (6-13)

• Streak: W-1

• Last Game: 2/26 vs. Point Park (W, 82-62)

• Next Game: 3/5 @ MEC Tournament

• Head Coach: Chris Richardson (5th Season)