CALDWELL – Monroe Central’s fine girls basketball season came to a sudden halt Wednesday night with a 50-36 loss to top-seeded Monroe Central in a Division VI, East 1 District Tournament semifinal at Caldwell High School.

The second-seeded Seminoles (19-6) were outscored 33-19 in the second half after being deadlocked at 17 at the half.

Brylee McFrederick was the lone double digit scorer for Monroe Central with 17. Mayzie Emery and Kendall Jorris had five each.

The Cadets’ Rae Morganstern scored a game-best 22 points, including a sterling 12-for-12 effort from the charity stripe.

Fort Frye meets Shenandoah for the district title Saturday at John Glenn High School in New Concord.

COLLEGE MEN

West Liberty 121, Salen 87

SALEM, W.Va. — No. 6 West Liberty University continued its late-season surge Wednesday night, powering past Salem University inside T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.

The victory improves the Hilltoppers to 24-3 overall (18-1 MEC) and marks their 14th consecutive win. West Liberty delivered one of its most complete offensive performances of the season, shooting 42-of-77 from the floor and knocking down 15 three-pointers while setting a season high in points.

West Liberty also turned defense into offense, forcing 23 Salem turnovers and converting them into 29 points. Although the Tigers scored 52 points in the paint, they were unable to match the Hilltoppers’ pace and scoring efficiency.

The Hilltoppers wasted little time establishing control. Hayden Abdullah ignited the offense with a dunk at the 19:09 mark before Myles Montgomery drilled a three-pointer seconds later. Montgomery added a steal and transition layup as West Liberty capitalized on early Salem miscues.

Myles Montgomery led the Hilltoppers with 24 points and three steals. Hayden Abdullah added 15 points.

COLLEGE WOMEN

West Liberty 87, Salem 46

SALEM, W.Va. — West Liberty University used a dominant defensive effort and balanced offensive attack to roll past Salem University Wednesday evening inside T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.

With the win, West Liberty improves to 10-17 overall and 6-13 in Mountain East Conference play.

The Hilltoppers controlled the game from the opening possession, forcing 14 turnovers and converting them into 24 points while scoring 40 points in the paint. Salem struggled to find rhythm offensively, connecting on just one of 10 attempts from beyond the arc and shooting 46 total points for the game.

West Liberty wasted no time establishing control. Olivia Baker knocked down back-to-back three-pointers in the opening minute, both assisted by Anna Lucarelli, to spark an early surge. Ana-Isabel Andersson added a steal and fast-break layup as the Hilltoppers built momentum.

Union Local grad Reagan Vinskovich added four early points in the paint, and West Liberty’s defense limited Salem to 17 first-quarter points, taking a 29-17 lead after one. She finished with 25 points, 17 rebounds and a trio of blocked shots.

The Hilltoppers opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run, highlighted by four points inside from Vinskovich. Katie Lucarelli stretched the lead with a three-pointer midway through the quarter, while Baker connected again from deep to keep the pressure on.

West Liberty’s ball movement and interior presence proved decisive, as the visitors carried a 52-31 advantage into halftime.

The Hilltoppers tightened the screws in the third quarter, allowing just six Salem points. Andersson opened the half with a three-pointer, and Vinskovich controlled the paint with key rebounds, blocks and interior finishes.

West Liberty outscored Salem 18-6 in the period, extending the lead to 70-37 entering the final frame.

West Liberty put the game out of reach early in the fourth with an 8-0 run fueled by Baker’s consecutive three-pointers. Vinskovich added two more layups, while Andersson connected from long range to cap the offensive surge.