History was made on Saturday night when Darius McGhee become the all-time leading scorer in the history of Liberty basketball with 2,376 points and counting. The bucket that broke the record was a three-pointer that came with 13:15 left in the second half against Lipscomb.

McGhee breaks a 43-year old record that was held by Karl Hess who played at Liberty from 1977-1980. Hess scored 2,373 points during his Liberty career and helped the Flames to to the NCCAA national championship in 1980. Following his playing career, Hess became one of the top referees in the country in college basketball, even serving as crew chief for the 2007 men’s national championship game between Florida and Ohio State. Hess set that record before the three-point line was a part of the college game or his record would be much higher.

“Karl Hess has had that record for a long time and deservedly so,” said head coach Ritchie McKay earlier this week. “Darius will long be remembered in Flames basketball history and deservedly so.”

Earlier this year, McGhee became the program’s all-time leading scorer at the Division I leader when he broke Larry Blair’s record. Blair scored 2,211 career points while playing for the Flames from 2004-2007. Blair was named the 2004 Big South Freshman of the Year and helped Liberty to the 2004 Big South championship with 29 points in the title game.

“It didn’t take us long to realize, boy, he’s pretty good,” McKay said of McGhee. “When you are around him on a daily basis and watch him practice you marvel at how accurate he is. Those shotsΒ  you see and applaud for or celebrate, we see those every day. You kind of get used to it. Don’t get numb to it because he’s only got a few more games in a Liberty jersey and he will sorely be missed.”

McGhee, a two-time ASUN Player of the Year, has set many records during his Liberty career. He holds program records for most three pointers in a season and in a career, most points scored in a single game with 48, and most points scored in a single season at the Division I level. He’s also helped guide the Flames to three ASUN regular season championships and three tournament titles.

“Darius is doing it with teams that are winning games 20+ a year,” McKay continued. “I think that lends more credible than anything. It’s not just someone scoring on a very average or below average team, it’s someone that is scoring on a team that is contending. To be able to do that, knowing that you’re going to get the number one circle or scheme on the other team’s scout, I think it speaks to his ability and character.”

McGhee did get an extra year to break the record as the 2020-21 season didn’t count against his eligibility due to the COVID pandemic. McGhee utilized his extra year of eligibility to come back to Liberty this season instead of pursuing professional opportunities or even entering the transfer portal.

“I don’t know that we will fully appreciate the impact that Darius has had until long after he’s gone,” said McKay. “He and others have really elevated this program. I think we’re experiencing some uncommon success because of that.”