ELKINS, W.Va. -- In a Saturday home matchup that featured two of the Mountain East Conference's top two men's basketball programs, fans in attendance were treated to a high-level contest that came down to the wire. But ultimately, West Liberty got the better of Davis & Elkins, 91-85.

The Hilltoppers, the Atlantic Region's top team and the Nation's #2 overall squad, came into the contest scoring 108.8 points-per-game on average, which ranked them second in Division II. They were also outscoring opponents by approximately 39 points on average, but the Senators, who came into the contest thirteenth defensively in Division II in field goal percentage allowed, put pressure on them throughout the contest and the game was still in question as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

West Liberty took control in the first half and ran the lead to as many as 17 points before D&E pulled to within 8 to close the first half 50-42.

The Hilltoppers again pushed the lead to 16 early in the second half, but D&E inched closer throughout the half, pulling as close as 3 with under 4:00 to play when Malachi Hampton hit a crucial three-pointer.

West Liberty hit 3 of 4 free throws late to seal the game, 91-85.

D&E won the battle underneath, with 52 points in the paint to West Liberty's 42. They also outrebounded the Hilltoppers 40 to 39.

D&E matched West Liberty's platoon-style substitutions, shifting five players on and off the court at once. This allowed both teams to continue high-pace play throughout and significant bench scoring. D&E had 24 fast break points to West Liberty's 16.

The Senators converting 20 of 30 attempts (66.7%) from the free throw line and was 56% (28-50), but struggled from the perimeter, hitting only 3 of 16 from beyond the arc (18.8%).

D&E's Sam Rolle IV led the team with 18 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Clarens Pierre also played a crucial role for the Senators as his 15 points and 10 rebounds marked his first career double-double. He also had a block.

Tristan Starks added 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist.

Hampton chipped in 9 points, 2 points, 1 assist, and a steal.

Nicolas Silva added 8 points, 4 rebounds, and a block.

Vadim Clanet and Charleston Ponds each had 7 points and 3 rebounds.

Ben Gilliam added 6 points, 7 rebounds, a block, and an assist.

Dontrell Jenkins added 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal.

With the win, West Liberty moves to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in the MEC. They are one of only two schools that remain unbeaten in the conference (Charleston, 4-0).

Davis & Elkins falls to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the MEC. The Senators are in sole possession of third place in the MEC standings.

Up next:
The Senators play host to Notre Dame College on Wednesday, December 6 at 7:30pm as part of a doubleheader with the Falcons.