Hilltoppers best Charleston to take MEC tournament
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West Liberty and head coach Ben Howlett, left, captured the MEC tournament title on Sunday.
WHEELING -- Top-seed West Liberty used 24 points from Marlon Moore Jr. in defeating second-seed Charleston, 73-60, in the Mountain East Conference title game held Sunday at WesBanco Arena.
It was the first tournament title since 2017 for the 27-4 Hilltoppers, who learned their NCAA Division II tournament destination on Sunday night, along with the runner-up Golden Eagles, who are 25-6 on the season.
Pat Robinson added 21 points and Will Yoakum 11 for West Liberty, which led 35-25 at the intermission and had got past West Virginia State, 88-81, in Saturday's semifinals.
Seth O'Neal had 22 points and Drew Rackley 14 for UC. Devon Robinson also had 14 rebounds.
West Liberty quickly built a 14-point advantage to start the second half.
UC, which had defeated Fairmont State in the semifinals by an 84-77 score, cut the deficit to nine points down the stretch but came no closer.
The NCAA Division II tournament pairings were slated to be released late on Sunday evening.
Fairmont State also is looking to earn a berth.