WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University will celebrate its rich basketball tradition on Saturday, January 24, by hosting Men's and Women's Basketball Alumni Day at the ASRC during the Hilltoppers' doubleheader against Wheeling University.
The day will feature special recognition of three milestone teams: the 2016 NCAA Sweet 16 women's basketball team, the 2011 NCAA Final Four men's team, and the 2016 NCAA Final Four men's team. All West Liberty basketball alumni are invited to attend and will be recognized during the games, receive free admission, and be welcomed to a VIP reception.
The women's alumni will be honored at halftime of the women's game, while the men's alumni will be recognized at halftime of the men's contest.
2016 Women's Basketball – NCAA Sweet 16
The 2016 women's basketball team, coached by Lynn Ullom with current head coach Kyle Cooper serving as associate head coach, enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Hilltoppers defeated Shaw and California (Pa.) to advance to the Atlantic Region Championship before falling to host Virginia Union in the NCAA Sweet 16.
That squad was led by a talented core including Liz Flowers, Kiki Simpson, Kailee Howe, Emily Bucon, and Johnie Olkosky.
Flowers ranks third all-time in program history in scoring with 2,135 career points, while also standing sixth in 3-pointers made (284), seventh in assists (493), and ninth in rebounds (725). She earned First Team All-Mountain East Conference honors and was named Second Team All-Atlantic Region.
Simpson is the program's all-time leader in rebounds (1,244) and blocked shots (271) while finishing her career with 1,113 points, ranking 27th all-time. She was named MEC Player of the Year, earned First Team All-MEC and First Team All-Atlantic Region honors, and was a Second Team All-American in 2015.
Howe was also a key contributor, earning First Team All-MEC and All-Atlantic Region recognition during the season.
2011 Men's Basketball – NCAA Final Four
The 2011 men's basketball team authored one of the greatest seasons in school history, finishing 33-1 and capturing the program's first NCAA Atlantic Region championship with an 89-86 victory over IUP at the ASRC.
West Liberty went on to defeat Anderson University in the Elite Eight before falling to BYU–Hawaii in the NCAA Final Four, the team's only loss of the season.
That Jim Crutchfield-coached squad was led by Corey Pelle, the school's all-time leader in assists (652) and steals (331) and eighth in scoring (1,953 points). Alex Falk ranks sixth all-time in scoring (2,104 points) and second in steals (295), while Barry Shetzer stands fourth in program history in 3-pointers made (284).
John Wolosinczuk is the program's all-time leader in blocked shots (217), Chris Morrow ranks fifth in blocks (162), and Jordan Fortney ranks third all-time in program history in three-point shooting percentage. The roster also included Jordan Fee.
2016 Men's Basketball – NCAA Final Four
The 2016 men's basketball team finished 31-4 and captured the program's fifth NCAA Atlantic Region championship, defeating Kutztown, 85-64, in the regional final at Wheeling.
The Hilltoppers advanced to the Final Four after an Elite Eight win over Stonehill, before falling in a dramatic 103-102 decision to top-ranked Lincoln Memorial. The appearance marked West Liberty's fourth Final Four berth and third in a four-year span.
That team was led by Seger Bonifant, the national player of the year and the program's all-time leading scorer (2,289 points), who set a single-season school record with 893 points. Bonifant is also the program's career leader in 3-pointers (374) and was inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame this past fall.
Other standouts included Devin Hoehn, who ranks third all-time in 3-pointers made (325); David Dennis Jr., who set a freshman record with 204 assists and 69 steals during the season; Zac Grossenbacher, third in program history in blocked shots (180); and current West Liberty head coach Mike Lamberti.
Alumni Day will celebrate the tradition, excellence, and lasting impact of Hilltopper basketball as former players return to the ASRC to be honored alongside the next generation of West Liberty student-athletes.
For more information, former players may contact Kyle Cooper or Mike Lamberti.
