WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The No. 4-ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team returns to the Hilltop this weekend to host the Atlantic Region Crossover, welcoming Pitt-Johnstown and California (Pa.) to the Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC) for a pair of nonconference matchups.

The Hilltoppers (1-1) open the weekend Friday against Pitt-Johnstown at 5:30 p.m. before taking on California (Pa.) Saturday at 4 p.m. West Liberty will look to carry the momentum from an impressive 92-85 victory over No. 2 Washburn into its home opener.

West Liberty opened the season at the Small College Basketball Tip-Off in Lakeland, Florida, dropping a 109-92 decision to Florida Southern before responding with a strong performance against Washburn. The Hilltoppers established a 24-point halftime advantage against the Ichabods and connected on 13 3-pointers to earn the six-point victory.

The win was an important early-season response for a West Liberty team that entered the year ranked No. 4 nationally in the NABC NCAA Division II preseason poll. The Hilltoppers were also selected as the preseason favorite in the Mountain East Conference, receiving 11 of 12 possible first-place votes.

Myles Montgomery has led the Hilltoppers through the opening two games, averaging 15.0 points and 4.5 assists per contest. Montgomery scored a team-high 20 points and dished out five assists against Washburn. He enters his sophomore season following a freshman campaign in which he led the MEC with 89 steals, establishing a new West Liberty freshman record while ranking third nationally in NCAA Division II.

Cameron Williams is averaging 14.0 points per game, while Peter Lattos is contributing 11.5 points and a team-best 9.0 rebounds per contest. Cody Schmitz is also averaging 11.5 points while shooting 75 percent from the field through the first two games. Landon Butler rounds out the Hilltoppers' top five scorers at 11.0 points per game.


West Liberty opens the Atlantic Region Crossover against Pitt-Johnstown, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the ASRC.

The Hilltoppers hold a 16-7 advantage in the all-time series against the Mountain Cats and will look to continue that success against a Pitt-Johnstown program coming off a 12-16 campaign in 2025-26.

The Mountain Cats are under the direction of first-year head coach Patrick Grubbs and return several players from last season's roster. Baden Forup was Pitt-Johnstown's leading scorer a year ago, averaging 19.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Adam Bilinsky averaged 12.4 points, while Vinnie Cugini also contributed 12.4 points per contest.

Pitt-Johnstown will be looking to establish itself against a nationally ranked West Liberty squad as the Mountain Cats begin their 2026-27 campaign.


The Hilltoppers close out the weekend Saturday against California (Pa.), with tipoff set for 4 p.m. at the ASRC.

The Vulcans enter the season coming off one of the most successful campaigns in program history. California finished 23-9 overall in 2025-26, captured its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship since 2008 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.

California finished second in the PSAC West standings with a 16-4 conference record and defeated eventual national champion Gannon twice during the season.

Despite losing all five starters and seven of its top eight players from last year's team, the Vulcans were selected third in the PSAC West preseason poll. Ninth-year head coach Danny Sancomb will lead the program as it looks to build on last season's championship success.



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.