WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – A second half charge fell short for the Concord University men's basketball team Thursday against number-three, nationally-ranked West Liberty Thursday night in Mountain East Conference play at the ASRC as it fell 115-105.
The Hilltoppers (21-2, 15-2 MEC) raced out to a 12-point halftime lead behind 13 three-pointers in the first half. West Liberty led over the final 11:39 of the first half as CU (16-7, 11-6 MEC) was only able to get within five during that span.
Both offenses were on display in the second half.
West Liberty extended its lead to 71-57 with 16:10 left in the game. However, the Mountain Lions slowly clawed back into the game. CU used an 18-7 run to get within78-75 with 12:42 left in the game. Junior guard
Michael Sanchez fueled the run by scoring eight points.
WLU and Concord traded baskets over the next few minutes with West Liberty still clinging to a 90-88 lead with 8:48 left. A three-pointer by junior guard
Aaron Miller gave Concord its first lead since early in the first half as the Mountain Lions led 91-90 with 7:53 left. But, the Hilltoppers scored 10 of the next 15 points to grab a 100-96 edge with 4:36 remaining.
CU continuously got within one or two possessions of the Hilltoppers down the stretch of the game including a three-pointer by senior guard
Rob Reed with 1:12 left to cut the deficit to 108-105, but West Liberty converted from the foul line to win by 10 points.
Reed and Sanchez tied for the team lead with 22 points each as Sanchez set a career-high going 6-for-7 from three-point range. Miller chipped in 18 points. Three other Mountain Lions scored in double figures including senior forward
Jametrius Wade (12 points), senior forward
Terry Hopewell (10) and junior guard
Cam Shannon (10).
It was the second time this season Concord has had six players score in double figures.
The Mountain Lions shot 52 percent (39-for-75) from the floor and 47.1 percent (16-for-34) from the three-point range. West Liberty was 58.8 percent (40-for-68) from the field and (19-for-31) from beyond the arc.
Concord will look to even its record on this two-game swing when they meet the number-two ranked team in the nation, Wheeling Jesuit, 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
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