WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — A new era of West Liberty University men's basketball tips off this fall as the Hilltoppers, under the direction of first-year head coach Mike Lamberti, have officially released their 2025-26 regular season schedule.
Lamberti, a former Hilltopper standout and longtime assistant coach, takes over one of NCAA Division II's most tradition-rich programs. His debut campaign will feature a 28-game slate, including 14 contests at the ASRC, with a challenging mix of regional matchups, non-conference tests, and a full Mountain East Conference (MEC) schedule.
West Liberty opens the season on its home floor, hosting the Atlantic Region Crossover on Nov. 14-15. The Hilltoppers take on Clarion (6:00 p.m., Nov. 14) and California (Pa.) (8:00 p.m., Nov. 15), while Wheeling University will also compete in the four-team event.
Following a regional road test at Virginia Union on Nov. 18, the Hilltoppers return to the ASRC to host Shepherd University on Nov. 22.
Mountain East Conference play officially begins on Dec. 6 when the Black and Gold travel to Point Park University in Pittsburgh. The month of December also includes home matchups with Salem (Dec. 3) and WV Wesleyan (Dec. 17), along with road trips to Charleston (Dec. 10) and West Virginia State (Dec. 13, TBA).
Before the holiday break, West Liberty heads west for a high-profile, two-game showcase in Las Vegas, squaring off with Angelo State (Dec. 20) and Lubbock Christian (Dec. 21).
MEC play resumes in January with a visit to Davis & Elkins (Jan. 3) followed by a stretch of home games, including matchups against Frostburg State (Jan. 7), Glenville State (Jan. 14), and rival Wheeling (Jan. 24).
February features a crucial run of league action, highlighted by a Valentine's Day showdown with Fairmont State (Feb. 14) at the ASRC. The Hilltoppers wrap up the regular season on Feb. 28 with a road game at Wheeling.
The 2026 Mountain East Conference Tournament will once again be held at WesBanco Arena in Wheeling from March 4-8, as the Hilltoppers look to make a deep postseason run under new leadership.
2025-26 West Liberty Men's Basketball Schedule
Nov. 14 (Fri.) – vs. Clarion – 6:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Nov. 15 (Sat.) – vs. California (PA) – 8:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Nov. 18 (Tue.) – at Virginia Union – 5:00 p.m. – Richmond, VA
Nov. 22 (Sat.) – vs. Shepherd – 4:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Dec. 3 (Wed.) – vs. Salem – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Dec. 6 (Sat.) – at Point Park – 4:00 p.m. – Pittsburgh, PA 🔹 MEC Opener
Dec. 10 (Wed.) – at Charleston – 7:30 p.m. – Charleston, WV
Dec. 13 (Sat.) – vs. WV State – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Dec. 17 (Sat.) – vs. WV Wesleyan – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Dec. 20 (Sat.) – vs. Angelo State – 3:45 p.m. (PST) – Las Vegas, NV
Dec. 21 (Sun.) – vs. Lubbock Christian – 1:30 p.m. (PST) – Las Vegas, NV
Jan. 3 (Sat.) – at Davis & Elkins – 4:00 p.m. – Elkins, WV
Jan. 7 (Wed.) – vs. Frostburg State – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Jan. 10 (Sat.) – at Fairmont State – 4:00 p.m. – Fairmont, WV
Jan. 14 (Wed.) – vs. Glenville State – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Jan. 17 (Sat.) – at Concord – 4:00 p.m. – Athens, WV
Jan. 21 (Wed.) – vs. Point Park – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Jan. 24 (Sat.) – vs. Wheeling – 4:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Jan. 28 (Wed.) – at WV State – 7:30 p.m. – Institute, WV
Jan. 31 (Sat.) – vs. Charleston – 4:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Feb. 4 (Wed.) – vs. Davis & Elkins – 7:30 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Feb. 7 (Sat.) – at WV Wesleyan – 4:00 p.m. – Buckhannon, WV
Feb. 11 (Wed.) – at Frostburg State – 7:30 p.m. – Frostburg, MD
Feb. 14 (Sat.) – vs. Fairmont State – 4:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Feb. 18 (Wed.) – at Glenville State – 7:30 p.m. – Glenville, WV
Feb. 21 (Sat.) – vs. Concord – 4:00 p.m. – West Liberty, WV
Feb. 25 (Wed.) – at Salem – 7:30 p.m. – Salem, WV
Feb. 28 (Sat.) – at Wheeling – 4:00 p.m. – Wheeling, WV
Mar. 4–8 (Wed.–Sun.) – MEC Tournament – WesBanco Arena – Wheeling, WV
