The number two West Liberty University (WLU) Hilltoppers men’s basketball team traveled to Elkins, West Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 2 to take on the Senators of Davis & Elkins College. The Senators scored the game’s opening basket just seconds into the game, but the Hilltoppers responded with a 16 to 3 scoring run that was sparked by a 3-pointer from Chaz Hinds to open up the lead for the Hilltoppers. 

The scoring run continued out of the Davis & Elkins timeout as Dante Spadafora knocked down three free throws to extend West Liberty’s lead to 27 to 7 with 14:00 remaining in the first half. Up 29 to 14 with 11:32 left to play, the Senators went on a 6 to run to begin chipping the lead down to single digits. 

D&E was able to get within seven points with 6:17 left in the half at 36 to 29. A 10 to 2 scoring run from West Liberty gave the Hilltoppers their biggest lead of the game, but once again Davis & Elkins were able to break off an 11 to 2 scoring run to cut the deficit to single digits at 50 to 42 entering halftime. 

West Liberty began the second half with a 3-pointer by Christian Montague and a layup by Zach Rasile to give the Hilltoppers the double-digit lead again at 55 to 42. The black and gold proceeded to increase their lead up to 16 points with the scoring run extending 10 to 2. The Senators, just like they did in the first half, had another answer to stay in striking distance having an 8 to 2 run of their own cutting the lead back down to ten. 

West Liberty had battled further ahead now leading by 15 points after another 3-pointer by Montague with 13:16 left in the game. D&E posted an 8 to 0 run that brought the Senators within seven with 10:30 left to play. The lead for the black and gold stayed within the 5 to 10-point range until one last push from Davis & Elkins cut the lead down to four. 

West Liberty freshman Kyler Daugustino sank a critical jumper in the paint to put the Hilltoppers ahead 82 to 76 with 4:48 left to play. Davis & Elkins was able to cut the lead to 82 to 79, but West Liberty answered back with six unanswered points. D&E were able to get within two possessions at 89 to 85 with 13 seconds remaining in the game, but Ben Sarson iced the game, knocking down both free throws. The Hilltoppers were able to come out on top 91 to 85 against their toughest challenge thus far in their 2023-24 season.