MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A slow start brought West Liberty’s run in the NCAA Elite Eight to a sudden end. The Hilltoppers fell to No. 2 seed Northwest Missouri State, 98-77 in the national quarterfinals Wednesday night at The Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
The Bearcats jumped out to a 51-32 halftime lead where they went 20-for-30 from the floor. West Liberty jumped out to a 12-8 lead but NW Missouri State took a lead they would not relinquish at the 11:24 mark.
Pat Robinson led the Hilltoppers with 20 points. Dalton Bolon added 15 points and Bryce Butler chipped in with 11.
West Liberty advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the sixth time in a decade. Their season ends with a record of 18-5.