West Liberty Takes Care of NDC.

The top ranked Hilltoppers of West Liberty were a 120-85 winner over the Falcons of Notre Dame College in West Virginia on Thursday night.  With the win West Liberty improved to 6-0 (3-0 MEC) while the Falcons fell to 5-2 (2-1 MEC.)
  The Hilltoppers were led by Seger Bonifant (24 points) along with a 21 point night from C.J. Hester.  Hester posted a double-double by adding 12 rebounds.  Devin Hoehn (18 points)- Zac Grossenbacher (14)- Indiana Faithfull netted 13- and Mike Lamberti rounded out the double digit scorers with 12.  West Liberty shot 49 percent from the field (43-87.)  They were also hot from the 3-point line where they shot 49 percent (17-35.)  West Liberty shot 68 percent (17-25) at the free throw line.  They owned the glass, out rebounding the Falcons 57-37.  They had 28 assists and just eight turnovers.
  NDC had four players score in double figures.  Lawrence DeArmond led the way with 25 points.  Tyree Gaiter added 19 to go along with five assists.  Kyauta Taylor netted 13- while Oliver Megins scored 11.  NDC shot 47 percent from the field (31-66.)  They could not find the range from the 3-point line where they went 5-21 (24 percent.)  The Falcons also shot just 51 percent (18-35) at the foul line.  They had 10 assists and 10 turnovers.
   It was NDC who got off to a pretty good quick start over the first five minutes. Taylor drilled a 3-pointer and NDC led 14-13 with 15:11 to go in the opening half.  It would not take West Liberty long to get going this as they would go on a 14-0 run to take a 13 point lead with eight minutes to go in the opening stanza.  The Hilltoppers would maintain a double digit lead mostly due to some solid shooting from anywhere on the floor.  DeArmond would hit a jumper to kick start a 9-1 run for NDC after they trailed by 19.  It would be 52-41 West Liberty at the 2:41 mark.  They would stretch that lead to 15 (58-43) at the half.
   The Hilltoppers did not cool off in the second half.  They shot 54.5 percent from the floor and 55 percent from the 3-point line after halftime and proved how they became the number one team in the NABC Division II Coaches Poll.  
 NDC will be back in action Saturday when they head back to Murphy Gym to take on Wheeling Jesuit. Tip time is set for 4 PM.