West Liberty, W.Va. - The No. 6-ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team wraps up the regular season Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. tip at Wheeling University inside the McDonough Center.
The Hilltoppers enter the finale at 24-3 overall and 18-1 in Mountain East Conference play, riding a 14-game winning streak and having already secured their ninth straight MEC regular season championship. Wheeling sits at 18-8 overall and 13-6 in the conference, tied for third in the league standings.
West Liberty has once again established itself among the nation's elite. The Hilltoppers rank:
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No. 2 nationally in scoring offense (99.6 ppg)
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No. 3 in turnover margin (+7.6)
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No. 3 in turnovers forced per game (20.1)
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No. 4 in steals per game (12.2)
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No. 5 in assists per game (18.9)
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No. 1 in bench points per game (48.6)
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The Hilltoppers also rank sixth nationally in scoring margin (+17.5) and ninth in 3-point attempts per game (30.3), continuing their trademark high-tempo, pressure style.
As a team, West Liberty is shooting .492 from the field, .353 from three and .757 from the free-throw line while outscoring opponents by nearly 18 points per contest.
The Hilltoppers' balance has been a defining trait all season. Seven players average at least 8.0 points per game, led by Jamie Muldowney (13.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and Myles Montgomery (13.5 ppg, .565 FG, .442 3PT). Cameron Williams adds 12.1 points per game, while Dante Spadafora (10.6 ppg) is shooting nearly 85 percent at the line.
West Liberty's depth has been overwhelming for opponents, with the bench contributing nearly 49 points per game — the best mark in Division II. The Hilltoppers have scored 100 or more points 13 times this season and are averaging 99.6 points per outing, tops in the MEC and second nationally.
West Liberty claimed a 93-81 victory over Wheeling on Jan. 24 inside the ASRC, shooting 47.4 percent from the field and knocking down 11 three-pointers. The Hilltoppers also forced 14 turnovers in that matchup.
Freshman guard Myles Montgomery continues to put together one of the most impressive debut seasons in program history.
Montgomery is averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 56.5 percent from the field and 44.2 percent from three. More notably, he has already broken West Liberty's freshman single-season record for steals and currently leads the Mountain East Conference with 73 steals.
Nationally, Montgomery ranks fifth in NCAA Division II in total steals, trailing only four upperclassmen. His 73 steals not only pace the MEC but have been a catalyst for a defense that forces more than 20 turnovers per game.
His disruptive presence on the perimeter has helped power West Liberty to a +7.6 turnover margin — third-best in the country.
Historically, West Liberty holds a 103-70 edge in the all-time series — more wins against Wheeling than any other opponent — and has won the last five meetings.
Wheeling averages 86.2 points per game, fifth in the MEC, and owns a +4.3 scoring margin. The Cardinals are led by Ayden Goll (18.2 ppg, 87% FT), Caleb Murray (16.0 ppg, 76 3-pointers) and Tee Harris Jr. (13.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg).
The Cardinals protect the basketball well (11.5 turnovers per game) and rank third in the MEC in blocked shots (3.8 per game), presenting a disciplined and balanced challenge on their home floor.
Already ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Atlantic Region, West Liberty will be looking to maintain momentum heading into the MEC Tournament and strengthen its case for postseason positioning. The Hilltoppers are pursuing a record 17th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance — the longest active streak in Division II.
Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. Saturday as the Hilltoppers aim to close the regular season on a high note and carry their momentum into tournament play.
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.
