The Liberty Flames move to 4-0 for just the 2nd time in school history with a 62-41 win at Kennesaw State.
First Half
Both teams struggled offensively to start the game, as the Owls missed their first 5 shots of the game while Liberty had just 6 points in the first 8 minutes of action. A Darius McGhee 3-pointer from the right wing would push the Flames ahead, 9-6, just prior to the under 12 media timeout.
McGhee would get it done on the defensive end of the floor as well just a few moments later, as he blocked a shot and got a steal on the same possession that led to a transition dunk for Keenan Gumbs.
Consecutive 3s from Keenan Gumbs and Elijah Cuffee would push the Flames lead to 9 at 22-13 with 6 minutes to play in the first half. The Owls would keep the game tight though, as they finished the game on an 11-3 run to go into halftime down by just 1.
Kennesaw State shot just 6-for-24 from the field, but were able to get to the free throw line 14 times, making 12. The Flames also struggled from the floor, shooting just 32% from the field in the first 20 minutes.
Second Half
KSU took its first lead of the game on the opening possession of the 2nd half, connecting on two free throws to lead 26-25. Liberty immediately answered with a corner 3 from Elijah Cuffee, who drained the shot as there was also an off the ball foul on the Owls. This gave the Flames the ball back, and Cuffee found the exact same spot to hit another 3, making it a 6 point possession for Liberty and Cuffee. This helped spark a 10-0 run for Liberty as the Flames regained control of the game at 35-26.
An extended 23-3 run pushed the lead to double figures as the Flames finally were able to get a little bit of breathing room. Keenan Gumbs, now comfortably coming off the bench after starting most of the season, was an important part of the run as his effort plays continually gave the Flames possession of loose balls. Liberty would cruise to its 5th straight win, all coming by double figures.
Stat Check
Scottie James had another double-double, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Caleb Homesley added 12 points and 7 rebounds. Gumbs and Cuffee added 11 points each.
Kennesaw State was held to 24% field goal shooting.
KSU was 19/22 from the charity stripe while the Flames only attempted 9 free throws, making 7.
Liberty dominated the Owls in bench points (23-7) and points in the paint (28-6).
What’s Next?
Liberty returns home for a 2-game home stand beginning Saturday against North Florida. The Ospreys are just one game behind the Flames in the early season ASUN standings with a 3-1 conference mark.
