Wheeling, W.Va. – The No. 5 West Liberty men's basketball team is returning to the Mountain East Conference (MEC) championship game after a dominant 112-85 victory over Concord in the semifinals at WesBanco Arena.

The Hilltoppers will make their ninth all-time appearance in the MEC title game and their seventh consecutive trip. After falling to Charleston in last year's championship game (78-68), WLU will look to reclaim the title they previously won in 2022 and 2023.

West Liberty came out with high intensity, quickly establishing a 21-12 lead. A decisive 11-0 run stretched their advantage to 32-12 with 9:58 left in the first half. The Hilltoppers' defensive pressure was relentless, forcing 18 turnovers in the opening frame, which led to 22 points. Lanyc Shuler spearheaded the offensive attack with 19 first-half points, while John Dragas showcased his defensive prowess with six steals before halftime.

In the second half, West Liberty continued to extend its lead, fueled by an impressive shooting display. The Hilltoppers hit 10-of-17 three-pointers in the final 20 minutes, finishing the game 14-of-28 from beyond the arc.

Dragas set a new MEC Tournament record with eight steals, while Shuler led the team with 21 points. Five other Hilltoppers scored in double figures: JJ Harper contributed 17 points, five rebounds, and six assists; Kyler D'Augustino, Kameron Tinsley, and Dragas each recorded 13 points; and Finley Woodward added 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Dante Spadafora anchored the effort on the boards with a game-high eight rebounds, along with eight points and four assists.

West Liberty will face Fairmont State in Sunday's championship game, set for 4 p.m. at WesBanco Arena.

Game Details:
Final Score: West Liberty 112, Concord 85
Venue: WesBanco Arena
Attendance: 1,721
Records: Concord (17-11), West Liberty (27-3)