The Liberty Flames fell to Alabama, 84-75. The Flames are now 0-10 all-time against SEC opponents including an 0-2 mark this season.
First Half
Caleb Homesley got the start in place of Keenan Gumbs, and the redshirt-junior wasted little time getting started. He scored the first points of the game for the Flames, knocking down a 3 pointer, and he hit another trey just a few minutes later.
The Flames went on a 7-0 run midway through the first half to take a 16-14 lead. The Crimson Tide would respond to go up by as many as 7 points.
Alabama got to the line early and often. They had 13 free throw attempts before Liberty got to the line once in the first half. Avery Johnson’s squad had 18 attempts to the Flames’ 7 in the first half.
Homesley led the Flames with 11 points in the first half while Scottie James added 7 points and 7 rebounds. Keegan McDowell was also solid off the bench with 5 points in 7 minutes.
Liberty went into the halftime break trailing by just one point, 34-33.
Second Half
Alabama quickly pushed their lead to 9 by scoring the first 8 points of the 2nd half. Scottie James, Darius McGhee, and Caleb Homesley took their turns at keeping the Flames in the game throughout the 2nd half. Liberty cut the lead to as few as 3 in the 2nd half following two Caleb Homesley free throws.
The Crimson Tide held a comfortable 7-12 point lead coming down the stretched as they cruised to a win by a final margin of 84-75.
A frustrating loss for the Flames as this was a game that could have been won. Liberty is now 0-3 in its attempts against P5 opponents this season with one more opportunity against UCLA coming up in just a couple of weeks.
Caleb Homesley had a career-high 23 points while knocking down 5 of his 10 three point attempts. He also added 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Scottie James had 20 points and 11 rebounds. He was 7-of-8 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from 3 point range. Darius McGhee chipped in 11 points while Keenan Gumbs grabbed 8 rebounds.
Stat Check
The story of the game was the foul disparity. The Flames were whistled for 27 fouls compared to Alabama’s 17. It led to 39 Alabama free throw attempts to just 17 for Liberty. The Crimson Tide was +11 from the charity stripe.
Liberty outrebounded Alabama 33-32.
Alabama held an advantage in points off turnovers, 17-9, and fast break points, 12-0.
What’s Next?
Liberty returns to action Friday from St. Petersburg, Florida in the St. Pete Shootout. The Flames will face Alabama State at 12 noon Friday. Liberty will then face either Austin Peay or Campbell on Saturday.
