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West Liberty Drops Doubleheader vs. Concord

photo by: Photo provided

West Liberty’s Lanyc Shuler scores a layup Thursday during the Hilltoppers’ home game against Concord.

WEST LIBERTY – The No. 10-ranked West Liberty University men’s basketball team suffered a tough 85-77 loss to Concord University on Wednesday night at the ASRC, marking their third defeat in the last four games.

Concord set the tone early, building a double-digit lead in the first half. Although the Hilltoppers clawed their way back, the Mountain Lions maintained a slim 39-36 edge heading into halftime.

West Liberty battled hard in the second half and briefly took their only lead of the game at 65-64 on a hook shot by Finley Woodward with 7:47 left on the clock. However, Concord responded immediately with a 6-0 run, reclaiming the advantage at 70-65. Despite several attempts to close the gap, the Hilltoppers were unable to get closer than three points down the stretch.

Five Hilltoppers scored in double figures, with JJ Harper leading the way with 14 points. Dante Spadafora contributed 11, while Vadim Clanet, Daniel Autrey, and Lanyc Shuler each added 10 points.

The loss drops West Liberty to 12-3 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC), while Concord improves to 6-6 overall and 5-3 in MEC play.

The Hilltoppers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Glenville State. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Concord 68, West Liberty 65

WEST LIBERTY – The West Liberty University women’s basketball team came up just short in a tightly contested game against Concord University, falling Wednesday night at the ASRC.

Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the opening quarter, with the score knotted at 10-10 after 10 minutes. The visiting Mountain Lions seized momentum early in the second quarter with an 8-2 run, building an 18-12 lead midway through the period. The Hilltoppers shot just 25 percent from the field in the first half and entered the locker room trailing 29-24.

West Liberty regrouped in the third quarter, focusing on attacking the basket. The shift in strategy paid off, as the Hilltoppers shot an impressive 50 percent from the floor and limited themselves to just two three-point attempts in the frame. The effort trimmed Concord’s lead to one point, 48-47, heading into the final quarter.

Bailee Smith’s three-pointer to open the fourth gave West Liberty its first lead since early in the first quarter at 10-8. The Hilltoppers pushed ahead 57-54 with 4:14 remaining, but Concord responded with a decisive 10-0 run over the next 1:40, reclaiming control at 64-57.

Despite a late push by West Liberty, highlighted by a pair of free throws from Smith with 46 seconds left to close the gap to 67-65, the Hilltoppers were unable to complete the comeback.

Smith paced West Liberty with 17 points, while Jenna Riccardo delivered a standout performance with a double-double, tallying 16 points and 13 rebounds. Anna Lucarelli also chipped in with 11 points.

The Hilltoppers, now 5-10 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain East Conference (MEC), will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Glenville State for a 2 p.m. tip-off.

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