WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - It was 1 versus 2 in the Mountain East Conference standings entering today's matchup between the No. 16/12 ranked West Liberty University men's basketball team and Charleston. The Hilltoppers asserted their reign on top of the MEC with a dominating 94-77 win in which they never trailed.
The teams traded early runs until West Liberty (19-3, 14-2) took control of the contest and never let up. The Hilltoppers scored the first six points, before Charleston (15-7, 12-4) answered, tying the game at seven just about six minutes in.
A 16-2 run that featured a perfect 4-for-4 mark from beyond the arc ensued for the Black and Gold putting them up double digits (23-9). The 'Toppers stayed in front and scored the final six points of the opening half to take a 20-point (44-24) advantage into the break, their largest of the game to that point.
West Liberty remained ahead by 16-plus for the entire second half cruising to victory. WLU stretched the lead to as many as 25 at the 6:07 mark after five straight points by Bryce Butler capped off a 10-3 spurt.
Butler finished the game with 17 points leading four double digit scorers for the Hilltoppers. Christian Montague added 12 points with three steals, Ben Sarson netted 11 points with six rebounds and three assists, and Steve Cannady charted 10 points.
It was a consistent effort from West Liberty all game, posting 18 made shots with five threes in both halves.
The Hilltoppers will be back at it on Wednesday at Glenville State. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.