Box Score WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The Salem University men's basketball team suffered a 127-101 loss to nationally ranked No. 2 West Liberty, Wednesday night. 
 
With the loss, the Tigers fall to 2-1 overall, while West Liberty jumps to 2-1. 
 
Salem shot 49.4 percent from the field, while West Liberty shot 51.2 percent. 
 
The Tigers had five different players in double-figures, as sophomore Shawn Christian garnered a team-high 19 points, while senior Christopher Shields notched 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. 
 
Senior Malik Toppin and freshman Fonz Hale each added 14 points, while Toppin recorded seven rebounds with four offensive boards. 
 
Toppin scored the game's first bucket at 19:47 for a 2-0 Salem lead, but Toppin picked up two quick fouls and exited the game with 17:25 left in the first half and did not return until the start of the second half. 
 
Early in the first half, the game was back-and-forth as Christian hit a jumper at 16:23 to cut the lead to 16-15, but West Liberty caught fire and went on a 21-5 run to take a 40-20 lead with 9:51 left in the first half.
 
West Liberty led Salem 70-50 at intermission. 
 
In the first half, West Liberty shot 72.2 percent from three, as it knocked down 13-18 attempts, while Salem shot 38.9 percent from three and connected on seven of 18 attempts. 
 
Salem battled in the second half but was outscored 49-43.
 
The Hilltoppers were led by Eric Meininger, who notched a game-high 24 points on 8-10 from the field and 4-5 from the arc. 
 
West Liberty held its largest lead with 3:08 left in the game up 117-85.
 
Salem is back in action at home Monday, as it hosts Penn State Mont Alto at 2:00 p.m.