TIFFIN, Ohio -- Coach Jim Crutchfield’s Hilltoppers got their pursuit of an unprecedented fifth straight NCAA Division II national scoring title off to a flying start here Tuesday night by running away to a 113-72 victory at Tiffin University. Senior guard Mike Mathey pumped in a career-high 29 points to lead four double-figure scorers for the Hilltoppers, who bolted out to a 20-3 lead in the first four minutes and were never challenged in winning their sixth season opener in as many seasons under Crutchfield.

The Dragons had a marked height advantage over West Liberty with four starters at 6-5 or taller but were unable to handle the Hilltoppers’ full-court defensive pressure as Tiffin was already looking up from the wrong end of an 8-0 deficit before the hosts finally were able to advance the ball past mid-court.

Mathey opened the scoring with a three-pointer just 5 seconds after the opening tip and the West Liberty press forced a Dragon turnover – the first of 31 turnovers on the night – on the in bounds pass.

John Wolosinczuk was fouled as he cashed in an in bounds lob to make it 5-0. Wolosinczuk missed the free throw but the Hilltoppers’ Scott Mirich grabbed the rebound and whipped the ball out to Mathey who found a wide-open Jordan Fortney for another three-pointer and an 8-0 lead as the first minute ticked off the clock.

West Liberty went on to lead by as many as 33 points before halftime, which arrived with the Hilltoppers holding a 66-35 lead. The advantage stretched past 50 points in the second half but Tiffin scored the game’s last 10 points to make the final margin a bit more respectable.

Mathey had nine rebounds and six assists to go along with his game-high 29 points. Junior guard Corey Pelle added 17 points, 8 assists and 5 steals. Junior Jordan Fortney and freshman Alex Falk rounded out the Hilltoppers’ double-digit scorers with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Keenan Barber and Merlynd Ameti paced the Dragons with 14 points each.

West Liberty returns home to host the Hilltopper Classic Friday and Saturday night at the ASRC. Wheeling Jesuit and Bethany tip things off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday with WLU taking on Pitt-Titusville in the nightcap. West Liberty and Wheeling Jesuit play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, following the opener between Bethany and Pitt-Titusville.