West Liberty, WV - On what would become the final night of his collegiate career, Raheem Smith exploded for a career-high 36 points - including 27 in the first half alone - but it wasn't enough as Shaw fell to the nation's highest ranked team, West Liberty, 98-93. The NCAA Atlantic Regional Semi-final was played on WLU's home court.
Shaw (23-9) had their highest offensive outburst of the season and held West Liberty (31-0) below 100 - only the second time all season the Hilltoppers have been held under triple digits on their home court.
"This was a great game from a fan standpoint. We were up and down the court, throwing in three pointers and playing good defense," said Shaw Head Coach Cleo Hill, Jr. "Both teams played hard, but in the end, the home team won."
In the end, the game was decided at the free throw line. The Bears went to the charity stripe 12 times -- hitting eight -- while the Hilltoppers found themselves shooting 31 free throws, sinking 26.
Boxscore
Hilltoppers Outlast Shaw 98-93
Atlantic Region Player of the Year Corey Pelle led four double-figure scorers with 23 points and senior pivot John Wolosinczuk hit a back-breaking 3-point bomb with less than 90 seconds remaining as unbeaten and No. 1-ranked West Liberty held off a determined Shaw squad in a regional semifinal thriller.
The Hilltoppers will host defending regional champion and No. 2 seed Indiana (Pa.) Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Atlantic Region championship game with the winner advancing to next week’s NCAA Division II Elite Eight at Springfield, Mass.
West Liberty led throughout the second half but weren’t able to put the hot-shooting Bears away until Wolosinczuk’s clutch 3-pointer pushed the Hilltoppers out to a 92-86 lead with 1:25 to play. Barry Shetzer then came up with a steal and hit a streaking Alex Falk for a runout layup that finally put the game out of reach, 94-86, heading into the final minute.
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