Liberty loses its 5th straight game, falling to Campbell, 94-85. With the loss, the Flames fall to 3-6 in Big South play while the Camels move to 2nd place at 6-3. The 90 points surrendered are the most against Liberty since Coach McKay returned to Lynchburg a few years ago. The last team to score 90 points was UNC Asheville on February 28, 2015 when they scored 95.
The Camels had a 3 point shootout in the Vines Center as they set a school record with 23 made three pointers. Big South Preseason Player of the Year Chris Clemons had a career-high 10 made threes as did his teammate Marcus Burk also with 10 made 3s. Clemons finished the game with 42 points while Burk had 32.
Similar to UNC Asheville Sunday against Liberty, the Camels got off to a terrific start as they jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the first media timeout of the game. Campbell shot 65% from 3 in the first half as they went into the locker room with a 47-42 lead.
After trailing by as many as 17 in the first half, Liberty clawed its way back to a tie early in the 2nd half, but was unable to get over the hump.
Four Flames reached double figures led by Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz’s 24 points. Liberty’s point guard left the game with 1 minute left with an apparent right ankle injury.
Ryan Kemrite added 17 points. He connected on three made three pointers as he now has 219 career 3s which puts him 1 behind Anthony Smith’s career mark of 220 which ranks 3rd on Liberty’s all-time list. The senior wing had a team-high 6 rebounds.
True freshman Keegan McDowell had a career-high 13 points as he connected on 3 of his 4 three pointers and 5/7 from the field overall. Scottie James added 15 points and 5 rebounds.
Lovell Cabbil did not play as he sat on the bench in street clothes. He has been dealing with a right knee injury. He left the Longwood game early a couple weeks ago. He returned with his knee taped. He’s been trying to fight through it ever since. No initial word on his prognosis.
“He hurt his knee on the last play of the Winthrop game,” McKay said. “I don’t know how long it will be. Praying he’s healthy. If we get him back, we get him back. If we don’t, we have to figure out a way to play without him.”
Isaiah Williams missed his 2nd straight game due to a team suspension.
The Flames are back on the road for a short 1 game road trip to Clinton, South Carolina to take on the Presbyterian Blue Hose Saturday.
