WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Virginia Wesleyan (2-18, 1-13) men's basketball team saw 21 three-pointers made against them on Sunday (Jan. 30) inside the Academic Sports & Recreation Complex. The No. 8 West Liberty Hilltoppers (18-2, 12-2) had three-point contributions from nine different players in the Bobcats 109-65 loss.
 
Leaders for WVWC
Jayden Hibbitt and Braeden McGrew combined for 41 of Wesleyans 65 points, with Hibbitt leading the way with a game-high 21 points. McGrew added 20 on six made triples (6-for-10). The Bobcats had a strong day behind the arc, shooting 57.1% from three (8-for-14).
 
Leaders for West Liberty
The Hilltoppers made 21 three-pointers in the contest shooting over 52% (21-40) on the afternoon. Garrett Denbow and Ben Sarson tallied 17 points, making five triples apiece. Pat Robinson added 16 points and hauled in seven rebounds.
 
Inside the First Half
Both teams started slow, shooting 33% from the field before the first media timeout. At the 14:13 mark, Hibbitt drained a triple from the right-wing to make the score 10-9 Hilltoppers. Two possessions later, McGrew hit a triple of his own to tie the game up at 12. WVWC would take a two-point lead on the following possession after Hibbitt hit a baseline jumper with 12:24 remaining.
 
The Hilltoppers would regain the lead on a 10-0 run over the next two minutes to take an eight-point lead. Anthony Craven Jr. pulled the 'Cats within five points after taking the Daunte Gardner pass and hitting a three from the top of the key. The 'Cats shot 60% (3-for-5) from behind the arch in the opening half. The Hilltoppers outscored the Bobcats 23-10 in the final 9:32 to take a 45-27 lead into the locker room.
 
Inside the Second Half
West Liberty started the half on a 14-3 run before the first media timeout. Ike Dove hit a jumper with 13:35 to play. McGrew hit his second triple of the contest at the 10:53 mark. 17 of McGrew's 20 points came in the second half, with 15 by way of the three-pointer. The Hilltoppers would make 12 threes in the half, outscoring the 'Cats 64-38.
 
Up Next
The 'Cats head to Ohio to take on the Falcons from Notre Dame on Wednesday (Feb.2).