West Liberty, W.Va. - The West Liberty University men's basketball team will open play in the 2026 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament this weekend at the Highmark Events Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, hosted by Gannon University.

The Hilltoppers earned the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Region after winning both the Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament championships. West Liberty will face No. 7 seed Virginia Union in the regional quarterfinals on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

The matchup will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. Virginia Union defeated West Liberty 94-88 in Richmond, Virginia, in the Hilltoppers' first road game of the year.

NCAA Atlantic Regional Schedule

Saturday, March 14 – Quarterfinals
12:00 p.m. — No. 3 Fairmont State vs. No. 6 Indiana (Pa.)
2:30 p.m. — No. 2 West Liberty vs. No. 7 Virginia Union
5:00 p.m. — No. 1 Gannon vs. No. 8 Charleston (W.Va.)
7:30 p.m. — No. 4 California (Pa.) vs. No. 5 Fayetteville State

Sunday, March 15 – Semifinals
5:00 p.m. — Winner of Fairmont State / Indiana (Pa.) vs. Winner of West Liberty / Virginia Union
7:30 p.m. — Winner of Gannon / Charleston vs. Winner of California (Pa.) / Fayetteville State

Tuesday, March 17 – Regional Championship
7:00 p.m. — Semifinal Winners

West Liberty enters the tournament looking to claim its ninth Atlantic Regional championship. The Hilltoppers captured the regional title last season with a win over Gannon at the ASRC.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Atlantic Regional will be available to the general public beginning Tuesday at 12 p.m. and must be purchased online through Gannon's ticketing system.

Ticket Prices

• Reserved Seating — $22
   

• Adult General Admission — $12
   

• Student (K–12) — $6
   

Tickets are sold by game day, meaning separate tickets are required for Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday.




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.