Liberty advances to the semifinals of the ASUN Conference Tournament following Tuesday night’s 55-49 win over NJIT.
“I was really proud of our defensive effort,” said Liberty head coach Ritchie McKay. “Having done this for a little while, I know how sometimes you can be a little nervous and the pressure can be on the 1-seed. I was proud of our guys. We didn’t shoot the ball as proficiently as we’re accustomed to from the three, but we grinded out a really tough victory.”
Liberty struggled from behind the arc, making just 4-of-20 three point attempts. NJIT made it a point to try to chase the Flames off the three point line.
“We know Liberty loves to shoot the three, but they do it in a way where they do it methodically,” NJIT head coach Brian Kennedy said. “They don’t go hunting right away for their threes. They like to get it inside and try to loosen up the defense. Our number one goal for the game was limiting their three point shooting. I think we did a good job.”
The game was closer than expected as the Flames entered the game 15 point favorites, but the Highlanders wouldn’t go away quietly. Liberty’s largest lead was 13 on a couple of occasions in the second half, and NJIT would get as close as 5 in the second half.
Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz was able to get a bucket in the paint with just 34 seconds left to push Liberty’s lead to 7 and virtually out of reach.
“Georgie Pacheco seems to just make big shots all the time,” Kennedy said.
The Highlanders have struggled all season offensively against Liberty, averaging just 43.5 points per game in two games against the Flames during the regular season. NJIT missed their first 6 field goals to open ASUN Quarterfinal play and would struggle to just 16 first half points.
They would remain within striking distance into the opening minutes of the first half, cutting Liberty’s lead to as little as 3 before the Flames were able to find some breathing room. Liberty pushed its lead to 13 off a Homesley three-pointer with 14 minutes left in the game.
NJIT wouldn’t go without a fight though as they kept fighting back and cutting into Liberty’s lead. The Flames were able to overcome going from the 8:08 mark of the second half until Georgie’s bucket in the final minute without a field goal. Liberty would also struggle from the line during this time, making just 8-of-14 free throw attempts down the stretch.
The Highlanders were unable to overcome the hump though as they never got the lead to one possession in the second half.
Named as the league’s Player of the Year earlier Tuesday, Caleb Homesley finished with a team high 14 points while also grabbing 9 rebounds. Fellow first-team selection Scottie James had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz finished with 13 points despite only shooting three field goals all evening, making all three. He would also grab 5 rebounds.
Zach Cooks just doesn’t like playing Liberty. The ASUN’s leading scorer at 19.8 points per game again struggled from the field, making only 6-of-18 field goals. He would finish with 17 points and 12 rebounds. 11 of his points came in the final 5:09 of game action.
Liberty continues its quest for another ASUN Conference Tournament Championship on Thursday night. The Flames will face 4-seed Stetson who defeated 5-seed North Alabama 82-72.
“We are 40 minutes away from playing for a conference championship for the third straight year,” McKay said.
