By Kendrick Jackson, Contributing Writer

West Liberty basketball returns to the hilltop following a heartbreaking loss to the University of Charleston. The #25 Golden Eagles avoided the upset after trailing by 25 points early in the third quarter. 

The Black and Gold, 8-6, begin a two-game home stretch tonight against UVa. Wise. This will be the first matchup of the season between the two squads. WLU took both games last season against the Cavaliers. 

UVa. Wise, 6-8, has already matched their number of wins from last season. Cavaliers junior forward, Cynita Webb, is a big part of their success this season. Webb is averaging a double-double this season with 13.9 points-per-game and 10.4 rebounds-per-game. Webb is also a pesky defender, averaging almost two steals-per-game. 

The Hilltoppers also have a star forward in senior All-American, Marissa Brown. The 2017-2018 first team All-MEC honoree is averaging 25.5 points per game and 12.1 rebounds per game. Brown is also averaging a impressive 4.1 blocks-per-game. In a recent game against West Virginia State, Brown’s 46 points surpassed WLU Hall of Famer, Melissa Hammond, for the most points in a single-game by a Hilltopper.

Following their matchup against UVa. Wise, the Black and Gold will host Concord University Saturday. The Mountain Lions, 10-3, currently rank third in the MEC. 

Junior forward, Madison May, continues to improve each year. After averaging 16 points per game in her breakout year last season, May has amped up the scoring with 21.5 points per game in the 2018-2019 season. The 2017-2018 second team All-MEC honoree can pour it in, dropping 32 points on West Virginia State. 

Coverage for Thursday and Saturday begins at 5:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. 

Photo Credit: Hilltoppersports.com