WHEELING, W.Va. -- On Saturday night, Fairmont State cut the lead to 10 points in the second half for West Liberty but the Hilltoppers came out on top, 117-96, inside WesBanco Arena.

Isaiah Sanders scored a career-high 42 points on 12-21 from the floor with seven made three-pointers. Sanders also was perfect from the free-throw line going 11-11 on the night. Briggs Parris poured in 20 points on 7-16 shooting and Cole VonHandorf had 10 points in the contest.

West Liberty extended its lead to 37-16 on a layup by Will Yoakum with 10:55 remaining in the first half. The Hilltoppers grew their advantage to 26 points with two free throws by Malik McKinney. The Fighting Falcons trailed 62-42 after the first 20 minutes of play.

Sanders and Fairmont State battled in the second half knocked in six three-pointers in the second half. Sanders hit a triple to trim the deficit to 10 points at the 13:21 mark in the second half.

The Hilltoppers built their advantage back to 21 points at the 3:58 mark of the second half secured its berth into the Mountain East Conference Championship tomorrow afternoon with the 117-96 victory.

The Falcons will now wait to hear if they have made the NCAA Basketball Tournament with an at-large bid as the selection show is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. tomorrow night.