WLSC, WJU Go National

The national spotlight will shine brightly on the Ohio Valley on Saturday afternoon when the West Liberty men's basketball team's regular-season home finale against Wheeling Jesuit is featured on a live national telecast by CBS College Sports Television.

Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at West Liberty's Academic, Sports and Recreation Center.

The broadcast is part of a three-year partnership agreement between the NCAA and CBS College Sports Television, a national cable channel beamed into more than 20 million households from coast to coast.

There will be plenty on the line for both teams. The Hilltoppers are closing in on their fifth straight 20-victory season under the direction of coach Jim Crutchfield, while the Cardinals will be fighting to earn a first-round home game in the West Virginia Conference Tournament.

Another sellout crowd is expected for the 131st meeting between the Ohio County rivals but there will be many viewing options for those unable to make it to the game.

CBS College Sports Television, formerly CSTV, is carried by many Ohio Valley cable providers. It's located at Channel 274 on area Comcast systems and is also available on DirecTV (Channel 613) and DISH network (Channel 152).

West Liberty's WLTV-14 will air a live simulcast of the CBS College Sports Television game broadcast. In addition, links for online viewing will be made available on the NCAA's national Web site - www.ncaasports.com - and West Liberty's athletics Web Site -www.hilltoppersports.com.

The game has also been syndicated to Fox Sports Pittsburgh for a tape-delayed showing at 6 p.m., giving local fans a chance to attend the game and then hurry home to watch themselves on television.

''Our partnership with CBS College Sports Television has been a successful and productive Division-II initiative,'' said Mike Racy, NCAA vice president for Division II. ''We're able to provide national exposure for the student-athletes and their institutions while also providing viewers a unique glimpse into the division and the way we balance academic and athletic excellence.''

Tipoff for the Wheeling Jesuit-West Liberty women's game has been moved up to 12:30 p.m. to give the CBS College Sports Television production crews a little more time to set up for the men's broadcast.

Wheeling Jesuit (12-13, 8-11) at West Liberty (20-6, 16-3)
When:  Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
What's At Stake?:  West Liberty can claim the WVIAC regular season title with a victory and a Charleston loss...The Toppers also need a victory to keep their at-large NCAA Tournament possibilities alive...Wheeling Jesuit will finish 11th in the conference standings with an upset win and likely 12th with a defeat.
The First Meeting:  Tori Hansen notched 24 points and 12 rebounds as West Liberty won 84-56 at Wheeling Jesuit on February 2...The Toppers only led 39-35 at the half before holding the Cardinals to 21% second half shooting.

Wheeling Jesuit (12-14, 10-9) at West Liberty (20-6, 15-4)
When:  Saturday, 3:00 p.m. (broadcast live on CBS College Sports, 6:00 p.m. delayed telecast on Fox Sports Pittsburgh)
What's At Stake?:  West Liberty is virtually locked into the third seed for next week's WVIAC Tournament, but the Toppers need a nationally televised victory to retain any hope of remaining in at-large NCAA Tournament contention...Wheeling Jesuit could grab a WVIAC Tournament home game with an upset victory and a loss by West Virginia Wesleyan versus Glenville State.
This Season's Meetings:  West Liberty won a matchup that did not count in the league standings by a 113-80 count on November 25...Ben Howlett paced the Toppers in the home rout by tossing in 30 points and dishing out five assists...Wheeling Jesuit, which trailed 60-34 at intermission, got 14 points from Adam McFerran...Wheeling Jesuit gained revenge with a 77-73 home win on February 2...A pair of rookies led the Cardinals in the upset as Cedric Harris provided 25 points and 6 assists...Steve Catich connected on the go-ahead bucket in the final seconds for WJU and ended with 18 points and a dozen rebounds.