WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. (Dec. 1) - Despite five players scoring in double-figures, the Tigers were handed a 128-78 loss by No. 2 West Liberty in non-conference play Tuesday evening.

The Salem International University men's basketball team falls to 1-4 overall. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers, ranked No. 1 in the latest USA Today/National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) poll released on Tuesday, improve to 5-0 this season.

Sophomore Gerard Tarin (Fort Myers, Fla./East Lee County) recorded his first double-double of the season with a team-high 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Tigers in the game. Senior Tyler Bell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Central) added 14 points, junior Conrad Etchi (Burtonsville, Md./James H. Blake) chipped in 12, while junior Victor Blakey (Suitland, Md./Friendly) and classmate Lamonte Fields (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) each finished with 11 points in the loss.

The Tigers led the Hilltoppers through the first three minutes, before the No. 2 team in the nation assumed control of the game. West Liberty went on a 20-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 26-9 lead with 11:32 remaining in the first half.

Salem International pulled within 11 points, 49-38, thanks to a 10-2 spurt with 1:29 remaining until halftime, but the Hilltoppers responded with a 10-3 run of their own to close out the half and take a 59-41 lead into the break.

West Liberty added to its lead in the second half, out-scoring the Tigers 69-37 to earn the win.

Several Hilltoppers achieved double-digit point totals, led by Seger Bonifant, who finished with a game-high 22 points, while Zac Grossenbacher registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

The Tigers return to the T. Edward Davis Gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 5 when they host Bluefield State at 2 p.m.