WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Alex Falk netted 20 points as No. 1 West Liberty claimed its third straight Division II men’s basketball Atlantic Regional championship with a 86-63 win over No. 3 Indiana (Pa.) Tuesday at West Liberty’s Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex.
The Hilltoppers (33-1) took a 45-35 halftime advantage and never surrendered the lead in the second half.
Falk took over sole possession of fifth place on West Liberty’s all-time scoring list from 2011 All-American Corey Pelle (1,953 points). Falk now has 1,957 career points. Chris Morrow also contributed 18 points for the Hilltoppers.
Mathis Keita paced the Crimson Hawks (26-6) with 18 points while Scooter Renkin chipped in 16.
With the win, West Liberty tied the Division II record of 127 victories in four consecutive seasons, matching the mark set by Kentucky Wesleyan (1998-2001).
West Liberty will meet the Midwest Region champion (Minnesota State-Mankato/Winona State, Minn. winner) in the first game of the Elite Eight evening session on March 28 in Louisville, Ky.
