WEST LIBERTY, W. VA. – The West Liberty Men’s Basketball Team was set for Elite 8 action when they played Cal State Dominguez Hills. The game took place on Tuesday, March 25th, at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. 

The Hilltoppers entered the game with an impressive 29-4 record. Their opposition owned a 28-5 record. The game was set to be a tough test for both schools. West Liberty started off in a tightly contested game until Lanyc Shuler scored a bucket to take the lead. The Hilltoppers used the momentum for the rest of the half to give them a 50-39 lead going into the break.

Coming back from the break, West Liberty opened on a 10-4 run. However, Cal State took the momentum away from the Hilltoppers, going on an 18-0 run to give Cal State the lead. Both teams went back and forth, exchanging shots and lead changes. Ultimately, Cal State found themselves up by two points with little time on the clock. West Liberty’s JJ Harper heaved up one final buzzer-beater. The shot fell short, giving Cal State the win 86-84.

West Liberty struggled from the three-point line in the game, going 5-19 from beyond the arc. With the loss, West Liberty’s season came to an end. There is a lot to be proud of, though, as the Hilltoppers not only made it to the Elite 8 but also posted a 30-win season.