WHEELING, W.Va. — The No. 1 seed West Liberty University men's basketball team continued its postseason run Thursday night, defeating Davis & Elkins 84-74 in a Mountain East Conference Tournament quarterfinal at WesBanco Arena.
With the victory, the Hilltoppers improve to 25-4 (18-2 MEC) and advance to the MEC Tournament semifinals for the 13th consecutive year, where they will play Saturday at 6 p.m. at WesBanco Arena.
West Liberty forced 25 turnovers, turning them into 26 points, while dominating the glass with 48 rebounds, including 26 offensive boards. Those extra possessions helped offset a tough shooting night and allowed the Hilltoppers to control the tempo throughout the contest.
"It was a classic March game — physical, back-and-forth, and hard fought," head coach Mike Lamberti said. "Coming off the loss at Wheeling to end the regular season, our focus was playing harder and being more locked in. I thought our guys did that from the start. Davis & Elkins didn't want their season to end, and they kept fighting, but our guys stayed steady and never panicked."
West Liberty established an early presence in the paint, scoring 20 points inside in the first half while building momentum behind aggressive defense and rebounding.
The Hilltoppers used their pressure defense to disrupt the Senators' offense, while players such as Cameron Williams and Dante Spadafora helped convert turnovers into transition opportunities.
Despite leading by as many as 11 points late in the half, West Liberty saw Davis & Elkins close the gap before the break. The Hilltoppers still carried a 42-38 lead into halftime.
Davis & Elkins briefly threatened early in the second half, but West Liberty responded behind strong interior play and timely scoring from Jamie Muldowney and Myles Montgomery.
Muldowney sparked the Hilltoppers with aggressive drives and key free throws, while Montgomery helped close the game late at the line and on the defensive end.
"I just wanted to be aggressive coming out in the second half," Muldowney said. "We trusted the system, trusted coach, and trusted each other. That's what we've done all year. Shots aren't always going to fall, but we're always going to go clean it up on the boards."
The Hilltoppers' relentless rebounding effort produced numerous second-chance opportunities, helping them outscore the Senators 42-36 in the second half and seal the 84-74 victory.
Lamberti credited his team's collective effort on the glass.
"We didn't shoot it great tonight, but if you're going to miss shots and play really hard, you create offensive rebound opportunities," Lamberti said. "It wasn't just one guy — it was everyone flying in. That's what our program is about. When we get extra possessions like that and force turnovers, it gives us a great chance to win."
Freshman guard Myles Montgomery once again played a key role, logging extended minutes in his first conference tournament appearance.
"I actually like playing in games like this," Montgomery said. "The big crowds and the energy make it fun. I'm an energy guy, so when the building gets loud, it makes it even better to play."
West Liberty placed four players in double figures in the win.
The Hilltoppers also received a strong contribution from their bench, which continues to be the most productive in NCAA Division II.
For Lamberti, Friday's win carried added significance as West Liberty continues the program's tradition of postseason success.
"That's a testament to this program," Lamberti said. "It started with Coach Crutchfield, carried through Coach Howlett, and these guys are continuing that tradition. We have a lot of new players experiencing this environment for the first time, and I'm really proud of the way they handled it."
With the victory, West Liberty advances to the Mountain East Conference Tournament semifinals, where the Hilltoppers will return to WesBanco Arena Saturday at 6 p.m..
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.
